Editor’s Note: In PoliceOne “First Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. This week’s essay comes from PoliceOne Member Tom Wetzel, a police lieutenant, certified law enforcement executive, SWAT officer, and trainer with a suburban police agency. Do you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members? Send us an e-mail with your story.
By Lt. Tom Wetzel
Police1 Member
That trust is vital to the symbiotic relationships that officers must have with their communities to keep neighborhoods safe and prevent crime.
To help achieve that objective, leaders should encourage a deeper commitment to community policing models which can put police officers in more personal contact with the public they serve. Too often, the only contact a citizen may have with their police is watching them drive by in a patrol car. If not stopped for a traffic violation or making a police report, many will not have an opportunity to interact with those sworn to protect and serve them. A broader application of police services which put officers in more direct contact with people in their neighborhoods is a start. Even if budgets are tight and staffing limited, officers can still conduct periodic foot patrols or provide safety talks at schools or businesses. If burglaries are taking place in a particular area, an information officer can stop at residences to warn them and provide crime prevention tips.
Too many times, neighbors only hear about problems from other neighbors or the police blotter. What must be developed is a “we” relationship instead of an “us versus them” one. A “we” relationship is the essence of community policing and can help melt any distrust or suspicion that an “us versus them” model may have. The “we” model can improve the quality of life within a community which can include economic advantages for those who live there.
The other approach that can have an impact is for leadership to work as a persuasive spokesman on the quality of today’s officer. When opportunities are available, they can articulate that overall officers are more educated, better trained, more responsive to risk management principles such as the dangers of police pursuits, more understanding of cultural and racial sensitivities, more accountable and more skilled in verbalization techniques. They are also more committed to working as partners instead of paid contractors in improving the safety and quality of life within the neighborhoods they are assigned to protect and serve in.
Again, the importance of the “we” model should be reinforced. Addressing the challenges that officers face and the health hazards such as dealing with violent people or exposure infectious diseases that they may encounter on a daily basis are also helpful. Learning or being reminded of the quality of today’s officers, the services they provide and the risks they encounter can show the strong return that citizens can get on their tax dollars which generally support solid pay, strong benefits and a good retirement plan for their officers.
These efforts by police leadership can strengthen community relations within neighborhoods and build on the trust that is vital to any long term success in preventing crime and keeping communities safe. It may also help in keeping up the morale of police officers who may begin to feel underappreciated based on the possible caustic environment that these political debates may develop into. Strengthening that “we” relationship is an important effort which can show the server and the served just how blessed they are to work together.
