Public Safety HR News Roundup – Week of August 20, 2018

Headlines from around the web regarding hiring, assessment and other human resource issues in public safety.

Join forces with other first responders for stronger opioid response

PoliceOne | Addressing the opioid epidemic requires a coordinated and collaborative effort by police and other first responders. New approaches must expand beyond simple street enforcement and detaining subjects for possession or transporting them to the hospital after an overdose. This will require detailed information sharing and cooperation between police, public safety agencies, hospital personnel, fire and EMS.

Stop-And-Frisk Settlement Requires Significant Milwaukee Police Department Reforms

WUWM | Last year, the ACLU sued the city of Milwaukee, based on the police department’s stop-and-frisk program. An analysis of police stops in Milwaukee found significant racial bias in who was being stopped and the areas where these stops were occurring. A settlement was reached in July.

$10M grant allocated to improve NY 911 response

FireRescue1 | According to a press release, the Public Safety Answering Points Operations Grant, administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, will be allocated to 57 counties and New York City to allow them to improve dispatch operations and 911 response.

Canadian Police Association Urges Officers to Seek Help after 3 Officers Die by Suicide

Police Magazine | The president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association is urging members to seek help to deal with trauma they experience on the job after learning that three officers in the force took their lives over a three-week time period, according to CTV News Toronto.

5 concepts for effective contraband control training

CorrectionsOne | Approaches to a contraband control module will vary, with the institutional training officer and warden having the final say on specifics. The main goal for any corrections facility is a well-prepared body of staff willing and capable of identifying, removing and documenting contraband in order to maintain a safe facility. Here are the top five contraband control concepts.

A Plague of Deadly Hesitation, De-Motivation, and De-Policing in America

Police Magazine | Police in a variety of places have talked about trepidation to act when action is the only reasonable response. They have spoken about fearing the aftermath of a deadly force encounter more than the incident itself. The author of the article speaks of two serious ramifications of this hesitancy.

Update: Firefighters sue Verizon over slow data speeds

FireFighting News | From The Mercury News … Santa Clara County firefighters deployed to the two Mendocino Complex fires experienced internet speeds slashed to 1/200 that of previous speeds by Verizon. Despite multiple requests to Verizon to turn off the throttling — the slowing down of data speeds — in order to communicate with other firefighters, Verizon did not do so and even suggested the department should pay more for a better data plan during the fire, according to Bowden.

Tier Talk: Should we follow up on the charges we write? (Podcast)

CorrectionsOne | In this episode of Tier Talk, Anthony Gangi discusses whether corrections officers should or shouldn’t follow up on charges that they write.

HERO HIGHLIGHT

We have two for you this week, both from firefighters.

Firefighters rescue kids from quicksand-like mudflats

FireRescue1 | In Shaker Heights, Ohio, two children, aged 7 and 10, were rescued by a group of firefighters from quicksand-like mudflats at Horseshoe Lake. “We’ve practiced for it. We had everything we needed,” Chief Patrick Sweeney said. “These kids, they stayed calm, which really helped us out a lot.”

Video: Firefighter speaks out about first responder suicide risk

FireRescue1 | We’re including this story in our Hero Highlight because this man (Phil Hall) had the courage to speak up about his personal experience of seeking treatment for his suicidal thoughts — and did so in an effort to help others. “The stuff just starts piling up, right?” he said. “(You think) the only way to stop all the nightmares, the flashbacks, and all the other life stresses that pile up on you is to tap out.” Hall is now urging other firefighters to not feel ashamed and to seek help in dealing with the high stress that come with the job.

By Jenny Donovan|2018-08-24T18:07:25-04:00August 24th, 2018|From Across the Web, News, Police-Community Relations|Comments Off

Public Safety Voices | Sheriff Travis Patten

It’s going to take everyone working together to eradicate the violence from our community.

“We’re losing our youth to gun violence at a rapid pace. Youth of all ages have murdered people throughout our community, and it’s increasing at an extremely alarming rate, not only here but across the nation. We had two or three murders last year; this year it’s up to eight in total – city and county.

“We’re working to help reprogram the minds of our youth to understand that every time you kill someone, you’re killing off a whole generation. You’re also not putting any value on your own life or anyone else’s life. These kids need to understand that every time they kill someone, they possibly just killed the next mayor, sheriff, governor or even the next president.

“We’ve embraced community policing as a part of that reprogramming. I pick a school once a week and walk the school. We attend community events for youth – everywhere there’s a youth function, you’ll see me or one of my deputies. The kids call me ‘Uncle Travis’ now. I give them my cell number and they use it. Their concerns are my concerns.

“Recently a young lady [age 17] who was pregnant was killed in a drive-by shooting. Within minutes information started pouring in to my cell phone, and less than 10 hours later we had all four of the perpetrators in jail. The people in our community have taken a stand with law enforcement; they’re breaking the code of silence.

“Faith-based organizations are stepping up and going into rough areas and praying over the grounds. There’s a major push going on to get gangs to lay down their guns and give families the control over their neighborhoods.

“I personally engage with gang leaders and the people are, too. It’s a multidisciplinary team approach. We’re using what I call the ‘three C’s’: consideration, communication, and collaboration. Law enforcement didn’t start this violence – no officer has shot anyone in this community – and it’s not going to end with us. It’s going to take everybody to eradicate this problem from our community. I’m of the ‘it takes a village’ approach, and it’s yielding very positive results.”

The journey to becoming sheriff is something I’m proud of.

“When I ran for sheriff in 2015, the community was extremely divided. The racial makeup of Adams County is almost evenly divided between black and white. But as I went door to door, people started to see my vision; they started to buy in. For me and the people who voted for me, it was never about race or color. The community showed by their vote that it was about doing the right thing, even if it wasn’t the popular thing to do. It took the entire community’s support through a grassroots effort to get me elected.

“When I put my name on that ballot I’d never run for anything in my life, never spoken in public. I’m a Navy veteran, was a mortgage loan officer and a K-9 officer in narcotics. It was me against an incumbent and another guy who had 30 years of experience. I had no major backers and virtually no funding. It was truly a modern-day David vs. Goliath story.

“Some people tried to scare me away. They took my political signs across the river to Louisiana and sent me videos of my signs being used for target practice – shooting at my face – or being burned. But we pushed forward.

“The community of Adams County bought into my vision wholeheartedly, and for that I am extremely grateful. We overcame the odds. Ninety-five percent of the people here are good people who want change. We’re not going to let the 5 percent win.”

Whether you’re the janitor or the president, everyone deserves to be treated equally.

“If there’s one thing I’d like people to know about us [Adams County Sheriff’s Office], it’s that we have compassion in our hearts for the community we serve. We are not what they’re seeing all over the country. There’s a war going on between law enforcement and their communities, but we are not at war with the people of Adams County. We will always put them first while serving them. Our goal is to show the rest of the nation how well a community can thrive when law enforcement, the schools and citizens work together.

“I wish people understood the weight that rests on law enforcement’s shoulders. We’re almost like street pastors: People are looking to us for the answers to everything. A lot of people have problems, and for many, we’re the solution. I don’t take that lightly. When they bring those issues to us, we’re going to act on it.

“We’re always going to be transparent. People deserve to know what’s going on. Politics shouldn’t have a place in law enforcement. Whether you’re the janitor or the president, everyone deserves to be treated equally. You have a lot of outside influences trying to get you to go this way or that way, but I will not be bought or compromised. That’s what I want every citizen of Adams County to know.”

-Sheriff Travis Patten, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi

By Jenny Donovan|2018-08-23T11:01:08-04:00August 23rd, 2018|Police-Community Relations, Public Safety Voices|2 Comments

Public Safety HR News Roundup – Week of August 13

Headlines from around the web regarding hiring, assessment and other human resource issues in public safety.

The Effects of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Activity and Police-Citizen Encounters: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology | … This study reports the findings of a randomized controlled trial involving more than 400 police officers in Las Vegas, Nevada. We find that officers equipped with body-worn cameras [BWC] generated fewer complaints and use of force reports relative to officers without cameras. BWC officers also made more arrests and issued more citations than their non-BWC counterparts. …

Changing hands: Making the firefighter generational transition

FireRescueOne | The substantial constancy of service by Baby Boomers is diminishing with their inevitable departure. At the same time, bereft of social baggage, a new generation of firefighters is gaining a necessary foothold in today’s firehouse. As swing music is to rock and roll, is to rap, there is the predictable breach in generational crossover messaging.

iPads could change how Harris County deputies assess mental health crises

PoliceOne | To help alleviate a slew of problems that come with over-jailing or over-hospitalizing people who have a mental illness, the sheriff’s department unveiled a Telepsychiatry pilot program. Since its launch in December, the program has garnered attention from California to Canada. Harris County officials believe it’s one of the first programs of its kind, if not the first program of its kind.

Cole County jury awards Missouri prison guards $113 million in back pay

St. Louis Post-Dispatch | On Tuesday a jury awarded $113.7 million to Missouri prison guards as compensation for unpaid work that they performed before and after their shifts — both straight time and overtime. The class action lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court represents 13,000 current corrections officers or those who worked at the Department of Corrections since 2007.

FRI 2018 Quick Take: Providing results with fire chief leadership and risk management

FireRescue1 | In this session at Fire-Rescue International, “Doing More With Less: How Leadership and Risk Management Provide Tenfold Results,” risk management guru Gordon Graham (Lexipol) and Deputy Fire Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department, offered leadership strategies for fire chiefs to effectively mitigate the risks of lawsuits, injuries, deaths, embarrassments, internal investigations and even criminal filings.

HERO HIGHLIGHT

We have two for you this week …

Glendale police officer hailed as hero for saving 2-year-old girl from near-drowning

Fox10 News | Glendale police say officers were responding to a call of someone in crisis at a home when a father began pounding on the front door asking for help. Officer Jacob Gonzales ran to the front door where the father was holding the lifeless 2-year-old girl in his arms. The father was asking for help, saying that the girl had drowned in the family‘s pool.

Tennessee boy rides fire truck to first day of school after firefighter father dies

FireFighting News | The youngest son of a deceased volunteer firefighter of the Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department was able to carry on the family tradition of riding a fire truck to school in a show of support from the department.

By Jenny Donovan|2018-08-17T19:09:59-04:00August 17th, 2018|From Across the Web, News, Police-Community Relations, Succession Planning in Public Safety|Comments Off

Public Safety HR News Roundup – Week of August 6

Headlines from around the web regarding hiring, assessment and other human resource issues in public safety.

How Many Black Police Commissioners Has Boston Had? None, Until Now

The New York Times | Boston is a city that prides itself on making history. It created a volunteer night watch in 1636 and established a publicly funded police department with full-time officers in 1838. But it took until Monday for Boston to swear in its first African-American police commissioner, William G. Gross, 54.

What’s the difference between Texas law enforcement agencies? Curious Texas investigates

The Dallas Morning News | Though they all wear a badge, vow to protect and serve and have statewide jurisdiction, not every Texas law enforcement officer is the same. From the local to state level, from homes to the highway, there are different groups that each handle a variety of duties uniquely assigned to them.

Maine Police in Labor Dispute Shed Duty Uniforms in Favor of T-Shirts

Police Magazine | Lewiston, ME, police union representatives say that officers are “ditching their uniforms to show ‘dissatisfaction’ over contract negotiations with the city,” according to WGME-TV.

Dear Future Police Officer

Law Enforcement Today | I want to share some things with you before you start your journey as a police officer. I’m sharing this because I am a proud widow of a fallen hero, and now I have a son who is months away from starting his journey as an officer honoring his father. I was asked how I felt about that and had to sit back and really think about it. Charlie and I taught our children to find a career that makes them happy and proud and to never settle in life with “just a job.” So, who was I to question him? Besides, it’s in his blood.

Human Dignity and the Fire and Emergency Service: A Statement from the IAFC Board of Directors

IAFC Press Release | The IAFC will continue to lead by example to ensure an equal opportunity and fair treatment for all. When warranted, the IAFC will call out and draw attention to attacks on our members who are victims of this type of hatred. Further, the IAFC strongly recommends that all fire and emergency service organizations and agencies develop written policies and have procedures in place to support these position recommendations.

911 Emergency: Call Centers Can’t Find Workers

The Wall Street Journal | Cities across the U.S. are struggling to find 911 dispatchers as a historically tight labor market makes it harder to fill a job that was already a tough sell.

HERO HIGHLIGHT

Cop jumps off overpass to save boy’s life

PoliceOne | According to the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, Officer Jessie Ferreira was driving to work on Friday when she witnessed a 12-year-old boy jump over a guardrail and fall several feet onto concrete.

By Jenny Donovan|2018-08-10T16:53:48-04:00August 10th, 2018|From Across the Web, News, Police-Community Relations, Recruitment|Comments Off

Public Safety HR News Roundup – Week of July 30, 2018

Headlines from around the web regarding hiring, assessment and other human resource issues in public safety.

Justice Assistance Grants (JAG): Federal application period for local and state funds just announced

PoliceOne

The Federal application period for the annual state and local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) has just opened with an application deadline of August 22, 2018. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) will make up to 1,147 awards to local jurisdictions totaling an estimated $84.5 million.

Video to aid in Columbia County Sheriff’s Office recruitment

The Augusta Chronicle

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office’s newest recruitment tool is a video produced by a pair of Grovetown High School students, in hopes of attracting more people to a profession having difficulty finding applicants.

Tribal Access Program Expanding

Department of Justice

The Department of Justice is expanding the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which provides federally-recognized tribes access to national crime information databases for both civil and criminal purposes. Tribes interested in participating in TAP must submit the application by October 1. TAP allows tribes to more effectively serve and protect their communities by ensuring the exchange of critical data.

Police-Youth Dialogues Toolkit Provides Guide for Improving Relationships and Public Safety Through Engagement and Conversation

COPS

The Center for Court Innovation and the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office developed this toolkit as a resource for communities that wish to implement police-youth dialogues. Drawing from projects across the country that use dialogues, the toolkit consolidates expertise, providing strategies and promising practices.

Ill. lottery game to help families of fallen officers

PoliceOne

On Monday, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law that will create a new scratch-off game, funds raised from the game will help the families of LEOs killed or severely injured in the line of duty.

The value in participating in the #LipSyncChallenge and other viral crazes

PoliceOne

It’s become “a thing” with multiple mainstream media outlets picking up on the craze and reporting on their local agency’s entry into the challenge. Do they do anything to “move the needle” in reducing anti-police sentiment? Probably not (or at least, not much). But they do serve some purpose.

Citing increased danger, union for Minn. corrections officers demands higher staffing levels

Minnesota Public Radio

AFSCME Council 5 Correctional Policy Committee, the union representing corrections officers in Minnesota prisons, demanded the state hire more staff to address what it calls unsafe conditions. The union stated “assaults on staff have skyrocketed since January.”

HERO HIGHLIGHTS

Frederick County woman commends deputy, good Samaritan who came to her aid

The Frederick News-Post

Rita Potter was having one of the worst days of her life when she met one of the kindest people she knows, a Frederick County sheriff’s deputy named Bryce McGuire.

How one patrol officer goes beyond the traffic stop to make a lasting difference

Quiet Warrior blog

When Austin PD Officer Jason Borne responded to a call this summer about a pedestrian in a busy roadway, he had no idea it would become an opportunity to make a big difference for a struggling single mother of two.

By Jenny Donovan|2018-08-03T19:49:58-04:00August 3rd, 2018|From Across the Web, News, Police-Community Relations, Recruitment|Comments Off

Public Safety HR News Roundup – Week of July 23, 2018

Headlines from around the web regarding hiring, assessment and other human resource issues in public safety.

3 Factors that Motivate Volunteer Firefighters to Join the Service

FireRescue1

It will come as no surprise to members and chiefs of combination fire departments that the faltering volunteer firefighter system is one of the largest and most daunting issues in the fire service today. Allowing volunteer firefighters to be emotionally fulfilled by serving their communities and [to] feel a part of firehouse camaraderie will help recruitment and retention efforts.

What Seattle’s new police-chief pick Carmen Best means for law enforcement

The Seattle Times

Public-defense leader Lisa Daugaard, a longtime criminal-justice reform advocate, explains why community activists and the police union are happy about Mayor Jenny Durkan’s police-chief choice.

Cleveland City Council OKs hiring consultant to tackle backlog of complaints about police conduct

Cleveland.com

A Chicago-based company that specializes law enforcement consulting will begin working through nearly 380 unsettled complaints made in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to Cleveland’s Office of Professional Standards about police officer behavior.

Veteran officer to be Boston’s 1st black police commissioner

PoliceOne

Boston police veteran William G. Gross made history yesterday when he was named the city’s first black police commissioner. “It shows that any kid in Boston … will have the opportunity to be the mayor, the commissioner or the chief,” Gross said. “If you want to change, you need to change, that is why I became a police officer.”

Sheriff: Shortage of 25 correction officers at St. Joseph County Jail shows need for better pay

South Bend Tribune

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mike Grzegorek estimates a shortage of 25 correction officers at the jail, contending raises are needed to correct the problem. He said the shortage of correction officers is mainly because they’re being promoted to county police officers or leaving to take higher-paying jobs at other police agencies.

Palo Alto raises police pay but recruiting is rough — even with 25K signing bonus

Palo Alto Daily Post

A $25,000 hiring bonus for officers transferring from another police department, implemented in September and one of the highest in the state, hasn’t been enough to attract more cops to work for Palo Alto, Keene said. A $10,000 hiring bonus was offered to new police-academy graduates. An official said in September that the department had 12 vacancies overall.

HERO HIGHLIGHT

Video: Officer helps homeless man shave beard for job

PoliceOne

A homeless man said he needed to be clean-shaven to get hired at a McDonald’s, so Officer Tony Carlson of the Tallahassee Police Department stepped in and helped.

By Jenny Donovan|2018-07-26T16:38:15-04:00July 27th, 2018|From Across the Web, News, Recruitment|Comments Off

Weekly Public Safety HR News Roundup – Friday, July 20, 2018

Headlines from around the web regarding hiring, assessment and other human resource issues in public safety.

Alabama troopers concerned about road safety amid trooper shortage

WKRG News | During the 2018 Independence Day travel period, Alabama State Troopers worked 18 traffic fatalities. They say many of those accidents are a result of fewer troopers on the road. Right now, Alabama has about 342 troopers on the highway, but they say they need 700 more.

How to Succeed as a First-time Supervisor

POLICE Magazine | … For those who aspire to become supervisors, your preparation for the test and process started the day you walked across the police academy stage. Those who wait to read the announcement for sergeant testing and only then start preparations will probably fail. Read the requirements ahead of time, as some may take some time and effort to meet.

How should you handle negative employee morale in corrections?

CorrectionsOne | In this episode of Tier Talk, Anthony Gangi discusses how to deal with staff members who have a negative view of the workplace. Listen in as he talks about being the voice for positive change and fighting through the negativity.

Heroes of Public Safety Highlight

We have not one, but three Hero Highlights this week!

Officers go above and beyond to help elderly woman in flooded house

PoliceOne | Three Moss Point police officers responded to a call for a busted water pipe at the home of an elderly couple early Thursday morning.

It’s not like police officers don’t do that sort of thing as part of their job to help the community. But in this case, they not only braved a spewing kitchen water pipe to turn it off, but they also stayed to clean up the mess.

Student who walked 20 miles to work helped by officers, gets new car

PoliceOne | An Alabama college student who walked 20 miles to work after his car broke down was gifted a new vehicle, and it all started after he was helped by a group of officers.

Off-duty Calif. deputy stops assault on woman

PoliceOne | The video – with more than 600 shares on Facebook as of Tuesday afternoon – showed a woman struggling to get out of the driver’s seat of a car as a man in the car wrapped his arm around her neck, choking her from behind. The incident occurred Monday in the Walmart shopping center on Harter Parkway. As the woman just manages to free herself, a man pointing a gun approaches and tells the suspect to get out of the car.

The Good Samaritan was an off-duty Sutter County sheriff’s deputy, Undersheriff Jeff Pierce said Tuesday.

By Jenny Donovan|2018-07-20T17:00:11-04:00July 20th, 2018|From Across the Web, News, Police-Community Relations, Recruitment, Resources, Succession Planning in Public Safety|Comments Off

Weekly Public Safety HR News Roundup – Friday, July 13, 2018

Headlines from around the web regarding hiring, assessment and other human resource issues in public safety.

Staffing concerns taking toll on Mo. prisons

CorrectionsOne

Gary Gross, director of the Missouri Corrections Officers Association, said inmate tensions are growing across the state over restrictions that stem from staff shortages, the News Tribune reported. Currently, there are about 700 open starting-level corrections officer positions statewide.

“In some institutions, they’re using non-correctional staff to work as corrections officers,” Gross said.

Baltimore Police assign 115 extra officers to patrol the streets in hopes of curbing overtime spending, crime

Baltimore Sun

Front-line patrol officers are regularly referred to as the “backbone” of the police department, but commanders have struggled to fill shifts, forcing them to draft officers into overtime work. That costs money and leaves officers exhausted.

The reassignments come as the City Council has announced plans to more carefully scrutinize the department’s overtime spending.

Yuma Police Department faces critical officer shortage

KYMA News

The Yuma Police Department is faced with a major police officer shortage after losing nearly 40 officers to higher-paying agencies over the last three years.

“We’re losing our officers to other agencies who are offering these incentives,” Chief John Lekan said. “Offering higher pay, unfortunately, maybe even offering a little more community.”

According to Chief Lekan, those losses have critically affected the Yuma Police Department.

Heroes of Public Safety Highlight

Star Spangled Summer Hero: police officers buy shoes for barefoot man

WBIR News

“When the initial call came in, they thought he was intoxicated. When I got up there, I realized he wasn’t under the influence. He didn’t have shoes. It was 90 plus degrees that day, so the ground was hot,” Gibson recalled.

Shoeless, friendless, and homeless, Gibson says the man said he was heading south where he heard the people were nicer. But, on that hot highway in Rogersville, he met one of the nicest.

By Jenny Donovan|2018-07-20T16:27:28-04:00July 13th, 2018|From Across the Web, News, Police-Community Relations, Recruitment, Resources|Comments Off

Public Safety Voices | Police Chief James Abbott

There are three major challenges we’re facing right now.

“Race relations, the opioid epidemic and active shooter situations: those are the three major challenges we’re dealing with right now. To address race relations, the township created a Human Relations Commission (HRC), and we have an officer who serves as both our bias investigations officer and as a liaison to the HRC. We also conduct implicit bias training and officer wellness training.

“We’ve also modified our training to include shoot don’t shoot programs. Instead of going in and shooting at a paper target, we work on when it’s appropriate to shoot or not shoot – and once again work on implicit bias awareness.

“Operation Hope is our program for combating the opioid epidemic. This program started when we lobbied for, and subsequently passed, legislation that allows people to surrender drugs without legal consequences. We then get them into detox and a rehabilitation program. If they need help paying for treatment, we can help them with that, too. We do everything we can to keep it in the social service arena and out of the criminal justice system.

“To protect the public from active shooter situations, we partnered with the DOD (Department of Defense) and received a half-million dollars in grants to run active shooter trainings. These drills are coordinated with our federal, state and county law enforcement partners and have been a viable tool in showing us what we’re doing right, what we’re doing wrong and how to do things better.

“All of these challenges require a different mindset among police agencies. We’re constantly evolving to stay in front of the curve.”

Few officers get to lead an agency in their career.

“There have been so many rewarding moments in my nearly 40-year career, but by far the most rewarding was taking the oath and being given the opportunity to lead this agency [West Orange Police Department].

“Yes, I was appointed by elected officials, but those elected officials were put in office by the people. My appointment to chief therefore reflects the confidence of the public. That’s something I take very seriously.

“So few officers get to lead an agency in their career. I’m very privileged to be one of them.”

The badge we wear is a symbol of the public’s trust.

“Young police officers today seem to grasp the concept that it is a privilege – not a right – to serve. The badge we wear is a symbol of the trust given us by the public, and we appreciate that the public has given us that confidence.

“It’s a tremendous amount of responsibility. Integrity is indispensable, as are training, education and the experience of not only learning from within [your own agency] but taking notice of what occurs in other agencies – both good and bad.

“We’re always striving to be at the forefront, to figure out how we can do things better. From traffic accidents to demonstrations, we’re always asking ourselves: How can we do this better?”

–Chief James Abbott, West Orange Police Department, New Jersey

By Jenny Donovan|2018-05-15T15:08:00-04:00May 15th, 2018|Public Safety Voices|Comments Off

Public Safety Voices | Police Chief Jennifer Tejada

Our history has led us to this place in time; we have to own the negative narrative that’s out there.

“The biggest challenge we face in policing today is the lack of public trust in who we are, what we do and our reason for being. Our history has led us to this place in time; we have to own the negative narrative that’s out there — to respond to and understand law enforcement’s role in the history of society’s unjust treatment of communities of color. We need to look at how we do things, hold ourselves accountable and figure out how we can build public trust.

“There are many issues we’re all facing as a result: Recruitment is the most significant. The negative narrative we’re in creates the impression that this isn’t a great profession to join. We’re facing a lack of diversity: We’re having a difficult time recruiting females, and people from different cultures and ethnicities.

“Another major issue is that officers are being called on to do things that aren’t necessarily aligned with our training, such as being the main social worker. Social transformation is now our role by default. Mental health issues, housing issues, drug addiction — we respond to it all. The problem is, we don’t have the resources to train people to be everything to the communities we serve.

“Looking forward, it’s not a very optimistic landscape.”

This profession and the nobility of it and the ability to serve in this capacity defines my day and who I am.

“I never lose sight of that. We are selfless in this profession. The rewards are few and far between.

“When I look back and think about the reminders of why this is important, I think about things like getting letters from domestic violence victims I helped. One in particular comes to mind — she was in a really terrible and violent relationship of 20 years. A year after she got out, she wrote to thank me and to let me know she was safe. If we hadn’t taken the extra time with her the night she was badly beaten and pistol whipped, and given her the encouragement she needed, she would probably be dead.

“Stories like that remind me to keep doing what we’re doing. We do good work, and sometimes, at the lowest point in a person’s life, we’re all they have.”

Every officer came into this career with every intention of being a hero of the community.

“Look at the human behind the badge. No one enters this profession to do something wrong. We all enter it to do good, to be pillars in the community.

“Today’s policing calls on us to deal with so much of society’s ills. It’s an emotionally and physically challenging job.

“We’re called upon to solve issues that have nothing to do with crime suppression. But every officer out there came into this career with every intention of being a hero of the community. There’s a human behind that badge with good intentions. Too often we forget to recognize their value and what they contribute to society.

“We have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession, also one of the highest rates of depression, anxiety, obesity and cardiovascular disease. We [those in positions of leadership] often don’t pay attention to the emotional needs of our personnel. We don’t give our staff the resources to address the constant stress experienced in this profession. We have largely ignored the relationship between stress, trauma and resiliency.

“We’re at a time where the burden is greater than it’s ever been. We need to figure out how we can create and maintain resiliency in our officers and our profession so we can be the best we can be.”

–Jennifer Tejada, Chief of Police, Emeryville Police Department

By Jenny Donovan|2018-04-23T19:01:39-04:00April 24th, 2018|Public Safety Voices|Comments Off