Restoring Trust Between Law Enforcement and Our Communities
Although we may legitimately feel angry and frustrated at the misdeeds of the few, defunding the police and allowing crime to rise unchecked is not the solution.
We have a complicated relationship with the police in this country. No one enjoys being pulled over for a broken taillight, speeding, or a rolling stop. Many people have had much more negative experiences. We all want our public safety agencies to have a positive relationship with the communities they serve to provide that service more effectively.
Over the past three years, the media’s narrative around policing has become increasingly negative and highly politicized. Within this framework, it seems nearly impossible to maintain a positive relationship between law enforcement and our communities. Activists across the country are calling for defunding the police. ACAB (All Cops are Bastards) is being spray-painted around downtown Portland while homicides are at record levels. We have had more than 1,000 shootings in Portland this year alone. The Multnomah County District Attorney is refusing to prosecute many property crimes, sending the message there are no consequences for illegal and destructive behavior.
The increase in crime combined with a lack of consequences leads to a perception of overall lawlessness. Our elected officials lack the resolve to insist on accountability for criminal conduct, further frustrating and demoralizing our police. This is not who we are as Oregonians. It’s time we correct course and restore safety in our communities.
Most police officers are hard working professionals. They serve in a thankless job with the hope they are making a positive difference in people’s lives. What receives the most attention, however, are those instances when an officer uses excessive force or exhibits unreasonable or unacceptable behavior. The sensationalization of these rare actions leads to the misperception that they are widespread, damaging both public confidence in the police and the morale of the vast majority of police who serve the public well.
Although we may legitimately feel angry and frustrated at the misdeeds of the few, defunding the police and allowing crime to rise unchecked is not the solution. The solution begins with building a healthier relationship between law enforcement and our communities that is based on trust, transparency, and good communication.
Last September, my community fell victim to a brutal fire that all but destroyed two of our small cities. The day after, I called a friend who serves as a police officer, to say thank you and check in. He was exhausted but drew satisfaction from a job well done. He had been up all-night helping people evacuate their neighborhoods, consoling those who lost their homes, and working with his team to close down access to the most dangerous areas. As our conversation ended, he told me many people had thanked him for being there to help. After all the negativity he had experienced that year, it was nice to know people still appreciated his work.
Here are some key elements to improve public safety and rebuild the relationship between the police and our communities throughout the state.
Establish a Crime Reduction Taskforce. Every Oregonian deserves to feel safe at home, at work, and in their community. We cannot make measurable improvements without leadership and coordination. Oregon must establish a Crime Reduction Taskforce that reports directly to the Governor. The Taskforce will perform a comprehensive review of our entire criminal justice system and make actional recommendations in the areas of policy, funding, and strategy.
Facilitate Professional Development. With guidance from the Crime Reduction Taskforce, we must establish meaningful training and statewide educational standards for all first responders. Police and fire departments need the time and resources to deliver training on crisis management, mental health, leadership skills, and de-escalation techniques.
Prioritize Recruitment, Retention, and Wellness. We need to create a sustainable, positive culture in public safety by encouraging collaboration between higher education and workforce development partners to promote career pathways for those interested in law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, and firefighters. The State should provide technical assistance and resources to police and fire departments for the development of programs that build positive organizational culture, decrease stress, and foster appreciation for excellence at work.
Focus on Positive Community Engagement and Transparency. Rebuilding trust and improving public perception of law enforcement starts in the community. Law enforcement agencies can help by increasing their non-enforcement presence in communities and work with residents to identify problems, collaborate on solutions, and build awareness. We can improve transparency by providing more information about stops, arrests, use of force, reported crime, complaints, and full deployment of body cameras.
Establish Behavioral Health Teams. Over the last several years, our communities have experienced an increase in behavioral health related incidents. Although many police officers are now receiving training in how to handle these situations, they are not behavioral health professionals. Every police department should have integrated behavioral health specialists. These specialists would team up with officers while responding to calls where someone is in crisis to help guide how the officer responds.
Additional Support for Smaller Agencies: Many small police and fire departments that do not receive adequate support to carry out their work. They need funding and technical assistance along with access to a wider variety of training, equipment, and technology to provide public safety services in our smaller communities.
We all share the belief that Oregonians should feel safe at home, at work and in their communities. Together we can address the most systemic issues around public safety, reduce crime rates, and rebuild our relationship with the police. Let’s choose to support the people who are on the frontlines keeping us safe, instead of blaming them for the failings of a broken system.
Jessica Gomez is Founder/CEO of Rogue Valley Microdevices and serves on the OIT Board of Trustees, Oregon Healthcare & Oregon Business Development committees. She is running for governor.
photo credit: "At the junction of OR 22" by OregonDOT is licensed under CC BY 2.0