Sir Robert Peel’s principles of policing remind us that “the power of the police to fulfill their functions and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions and behavior, and on their ability to secure and maintain public respect.” The idea is simple, but it requires effort and intentionality. One of the most effective ways to build that trust is through open dialogue and education.
Why community support matters
Effective policing requires some level of trust from the people being policed. Without it, authority is questioned, crimes go unreported, witnesses or victims are uncooperative, and our ability to keep our citizens safe is compromised.
Many of the challenges law enforcement agencies face today are rooted in one problem: People do not understand the laws we enforce, the limitations we operate under or the reality of crime and enforcement trends. The average citizen is also unaware of all the things the department is already doing to address a myriad of problems. Misinformation quickly fills the gaps, and fingers can get unfairly pointed at officers. Town halls are one of the most effective ways to disseminate accurate information and convert skeptics into allies.
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Building a coalition of allies
Community policing, at its core, is about everyone working together to solve crime and quality-of-life concerns. By engaging residents and businesses in honest conversations, we create a network of informed partners who understand the problems and know where to look for solutions. This coalition is critical when difficult decisions must be made or when the department inevitably faces scrutiny.
Town hall formats
At the Las Cruces Police Department, we have experimented with various town hall formats, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. I encourage you to start simple and build complexity as you go. Here are some considerations:
- Traditional town hall: This format is hosted in a space that can accommodate the expected crowd, e.g., city council or commission chambers. The chief, or their designee, presents updates on important information, such as crime statistics, staffing or new initiatives. After the education portion, the police staff answers questions from the participants. There are options for how you do the question segment. You can have a PIO or other personnel control the microphone, or you can have people write their questions on index cards and then answer them from the podium.
- Themed town hall: This is similar to the above format, but after the chief provides an update on topics like crime and staffing, subject matter experts present on a specific issue, e.g., homelessness, narcotics trends, juvenile crime, mental health response, etc. Questions will generally pertain to the topic of the event. Themed events provide depth and highlight the expertise in the department and partner organizations.
- Small group discussion (topic-based): After a short update, attendees break into small groups at tables throughout the space to discuss a specific issue. Groups we have used in the past are crime reduction, traffic enforcement and safety, internal affairs and policy, and recruiting and training. Each table has subject matter experts from the police department. After 30 minutes of guided discussion, participants switch tables for one more round. This format encourages dialogue and can generate practical ideas.
- Small group discussion (geographical): Similar to the topic-based discussions, but tables are organized by geographical area. For us, that is usually city council districts, but it could be any well-defined geographical boundaries. Tables should still have a few law enforcement officers to guide the discussion, but can also have the elected official who represents that area present. When done correctly, it has the potential to unite law enforcement and elected leadership in a productive conversation with residents about improving their community.
Bridge the divide through education
Each town hall is an opportunity to bridge the divide between perception and reality. We cannot expect the public to support what they do not understand. By sharing accurate information, answering questions honestly and highlighting all the great work officers are already doing, we demonstrate transparency and help people recognize all the effort that goes on behind the scenes.
At the heart of Sir Robert Peel’s philosophy was the belief that the police derive their power from public approval. Town halls are not about checking a box, but they are a tool to build trust, legitimacy and a shared responsibility for public safety. The bottom line is, either we tell our story or someone else will — and they rarely get it right.
Key takeaways and tips
- Town halls are a great way to educate the public and build trust
- Start simple and build on that momentum
- Control the flow and do not let the event get derailed
- Record the town hall and post it on social media to expand the reach
