and police-community collaboration -- the group quickly shifted to wanting to extensively discuss , and by extension highlight , how to begin to look at how the future of policing may adapt or change . We learned from our own cohort that more time wasn ’ t just needed , it was wanted . The group wanted the opportunity to continue to connect , to converse , and to collaborate . Despite all their differences , and all their varying mindsets and mentalities , something borne out of a desire to simply interface , to just get to the table , had blossomed into something more .
And , as the group learned and absorbed information to grow their knowledge and understanding of who we were and the work we do , they began to have moments of recognition where they truly saw beyond the badge , behind the uniform , and learned that we were just as human as they were , with servant ’ s hearts and a desire to be what our community needs and wants . Comments like : “ It ’ s like you ’ re not allowed to be human ,” or “ If this is what you see on any given shift , we aren ’ t doing enough to take care of our officers ,” or “ I came in wanting to hate you , but I just can ’ t ” was just some of the feedback we ’ ve gotten so far . These “ a ha ” moments , where the true understanding of the difference between their local truths of policing versus the national headlines of law enforcement , are pivotal . But , they cannot happen in a vacuum . Opportunities exist in every call , every meeting , every conversation . We must seize on that .
Our sense of duty to our communities is intrinsic . It is not something we necessarily choose . In each of us is this calling to serve . And , when we see the places and people we devote our lives to reeling from the impact of a decision that cost a man his life thousands of miles away , we too feel slighted , hurt , and betrayed . That is not who we are , and that is not what we do .
So , we too are hearing the national narrative , and we , just as much as many in our communities , want to be able to listen , to learn , and to be better connected . Creating opportunities like MVPDx to do just that strips the national narrative of its vitriol , and it divests the national headlines from the local experiences , both good and bad . By being able to concentrate specifically on what can and should be done locally , we can begin to build a framework for our entire profession . We can lead one another by exceptional example .
Transparency and trust can be rebuilt from this moment in our history , but we must make the effort to do so . We must create spaces that are safe for our residents to share with us their faith in or their fears of law enforcement . We must be open to hearing criticism and concern , because the only way for a meaningful paradigm shift forward is to acknowledge that we are willing and able to listen and that we will be present in doing so . And , in turn , we are also afforded the opportunity to finally begin to speak up , to share our truths , and to allow our communities in turn to hear about who we are and how and why we serve them .
“ Localism ” is a strategy to acknowledge the national narrative but to focus dialogue and discussion points on local , firsthand experiences and issues . Localism has been our strategy in how we dialogue with our community and it has made a huge difference as a foundation for genuine conversations and trust building . Do not let the opportunity slip away . There are those in your department who can and who want to help lead the effort to build better avenues of connection . Your communities are inevitably craving that -- let them speak , let them be heard , and in turn , let them hear you .
WINTER 2020 | CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF 23