By NAOMI MAXWELL
Capital News Service
LANSING – The State Police has been working to build trust with communities, officials say.
And the department met the requirements of the Trust Building Campaign in July through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the State Police said in a press release.
According to the State Police website, the focus of the department for rebuilding trust is on six key areas: bias-free policing; proper use-of-force; leadership and culture; recruitment, hiring, and retention; victim services; and community relations.
Col. James. F. Grady, the State Police director, said in a press release, “We pledged to address what we could do better to serve the people we interact with.”
Ron Wiles, the executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, explained that programs and initiatives departments across the state have organized to build familiarity and understanding.
They include National Night Out, Faith & Blue Weekend, Coffee with a Cop, Citizens Police Academy, attending subdivision meetings, “and other activities that allow residents the opportunity to meet officers, ask questions and discuss concerns,” Wiles said.
For example, according to the Canton Police Department website, “Coffee with a Cop breaks down the barriers and allows for relaxed one-on-one interaction between citizens and police officers.”
Wiles talked about what appropriate actions are encouraged to de-escalate situations: “Clear policies, sound training and meaningful review of all use of force incidents help to protect everyone involved and give the public a better understanding of police decisions.”
Jackson Vidaurri, the public information manager at the Detroit Police Department, said the biggest factor that impacts the Detroit community’s trust is “the lack of transparency and not following through on what you’re telling the community.”
The department has been “very focused on giving back to the community and bettering relationships within specific units in the department.” Vidaurri said.
The Detroit Police Department social media shows one of its community outreach events it does every summer, “Walk a Mile Wednesday.”
Vidaurri said the department “goes to every precinct around the city of Detroit, and Chief Todd Bettison walks a mile with the community. This offers residents an opportunity to speak directly with officers and the chief on what the department is doing well and what we can do better.”
He added, “Communication is a huge part of building that trust within the community – making sure the community is well-informed and up to date as new information comes out.”
Additionally, “Public safety isn’t just about going out and answering calls but also informing residents what resources are out there for them,” Viadurri said.
Looking at local departments as a whole, Wiles said, “The strongest partnerships produce practical results. People feel comfortable seeking help, concerns are addressed and law enforcement and residents work together on community problems.”
Wiles added, “Building trust and creating positive relationships takes honest communication, accountability and a willingness from both law enforcement and residents to listen and understand one another.”
Both experts highlighted the importance of listening to the needs of each community to build trust.
According to Wiles and Vidau, this includes open communication, community outreach events, understanding proper procedures and encouraging officers to be more transparent to better serve their communities.