Police Department Open House Suggestion
Do you think it would be a good idea if the police department organized and advertised an open house? This would allow the citizens to get a better idea about the inner workings of the police department. I think this would be a good way to begin to open up the department to the community, particularly in light of the controversy that has recently been surrounding the department.
In the past, citizens and citizen groups could contact the police department and arrange for a tour at a pre-determined time. What I have in mind would be a scheduled open house inviting the community in for a first hand look - an organized affair that would last all afternoon on a Saturday, for instance. The school liaison officers, bike officers, detectives, command staff, patrol officers and dispatchers would all have representatives present. It might even be a good time for the mayor or some councilpersons to be in attendance as well, because in my experience they have very little first hand information about the workings of the police department.
Do you think this is a good idea? Would you come to see what’s going on at your police department? Please leave a comment and let me know.
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:40 am
Dave, you really know how to “mend things”, foster better relationships and educate the public about this most important department in our City. Its a great idea. Residents can meet thier officers and see how they operate. How nice to see the possibility of this transparency come about. Sharing with the public how this department works, who the people are that we charge with the responsibility of our safety and being able to move to a new level of communication with our officers can do nothing but foster good will and confidence in everyone involved.
Great idea!
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:45 am
Thanks for the kind words, Pat. I think an open house like this would go a long way toward citizen understanding of what “Community Policing†is all about. Let’s hope someone in authority takes notice and also thinks it is a good idea.