California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2018_Spring Magazine_Final | Page 30

and police department.
They provide a platform for
education, discussion, and
overall positive interactions
between different groups
that may not have an ability
to converse and interact
in this manner otherwise.
Interactions with police can
sometimes be tense, but
From Body Worn Cameras and video evidence class me and Captain Smith
the program aims at fostering a
better relationship between the
officers in a positive light, but many
San Luis Obispo Police Department
have been videos showing instances
and the community by providing
of use of force. The videos of these
opportunities for both groups to learn
encounters often create an overarching
more about each other and talk about
stereotype of all police officers and
the issues that matter to them. The
police departments, and it is through
department has had a high interest
these platforms that misconceptions
in these events and the thoughtful
are amplified. In an effort to bridge
conversations about relevant topics,
the gap between the San Luis Obispo
Police Department and the community leading to meaningful engagement
and discussion from the community
they serve, the San Luis Obispo Police
members in attendance.
Department felt it was imperative to
One of the main aspirations of
create a platform for open dialogue
starting PEACE was to foster positive
and education that would benefit the
relationships between the City, the
community, the department, and the
Police Department, and the residents
City as a whole.
of San Luis Obispo. Providing these
To better facilitate a trusting
talks is a way to increase transparency
relationship with the community, the
and answer the hard questions that
San Luis Obispo Police Department
community members often feel
launched PEACE, Police Education
too intimidated to ask in different
and Community Engagement. This
settings. By having these events
program began in 2017 and is a series
located in a neutral area (a local
of two-hour discussions on topics
hospital), it provided a positive and
related to policing the community.
calm atmosphere to allow community
The four talks hosted in 2017 were,
members to feel comfortable and safe.
"Policing & the Community," "Body
Attendance to these events ranged
Worn Cameras & Video Evidence,"
from 50 to 100 people and
“Use of Force,” and "Mental
as they continue, is expected
Health: Resources & Policing in our
to exceed these numbers.
Community." These talks aimed to
Feedback about the PEACE
foster open, honest communication
talks, through in-person
between citizens and police to engage
and online presence, has
in tough conversations in a safe and
been positive as community
civil forum about topics that are
members are appreciative
relevant and recurring. The talks
help build and sustain long-term
of the opportunity to share
relationships between the community
their concerns, learn about
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policing, get to know officers as part
of their community, and connect with
the Police Department in a new and
meaningful way.
When there is a good relationship
between the police and the
community, the police benefit by
understanding the public's concerns
and perspectives that they might
have previously lost touch with. The
community benefits by feeling more
protected and that the police are
more personable and are diligently
looking out for them and serving the
community. Better police-community
relations can encourage the public to
become more active in participation
in the community by reporting crimes
that occur to the police, providing
tips/intelligence to law enforcement,
willingly serving as witnesses, and
extending trust when the police are
involved in critical incidents. Police-
community relations are ongoing
and ever changing and through
these continuing PEACE talks, and
the hope is to build an even stronger
relationship between the two. A
strong relationship with community
members who are willing to support
police efforts and help prevent
crime by reporting and engaging in
neighborhood wellness is key to the
City’s ongoing success in improving
public safety.  ■
From first class – Policing a community