The Monroe Police Department is very efficient at solving crimes, and arresting suspects. Whether true or imagined, the general public sentiment is that if a crime is committed in Monroe, the MPD will eventually arrest the suspect.
Arrests generally occur after the fact.
After the robbery.
After the burglary.
After the murder.
The problem in Monroe is not apprehension, but in prevention.
Crime prevention requires resources and personalities beyond general policing. It requires of network of collaborators from the streets and suites to focus on prevention.
At the center of it all is whether or not the community trusts the police department.
There are a few officers on the force who have effectively gained the trust of the “streets” but those in the “suites” are not listening.
When the Ellis Administration prepared to take office it assembled a transition team, a portion of which focused on Police Relations.
One of those transition team members was former interim chief Evelyn Robinson who advocated at “Roll the Windows Down” approach to building trust. It means that police officers should interact with the communities they serve, know the residents, and listen. Listening opens doors of communication.
It was a great idea, but instead of heeding the advice of Chief Robinson, the city took a “tough guy” approach that instead of rolling windows down and listening, rolled them up, sealed them shut and issued threats
Robinson, was well received during her tenure in the department. She developed a tough but reasonable reputation, that over the years built considerable trust. Unfortunately, she chose not to apply for the permanent position.
Trust is built through frequent listening sessions with stakeholders, coaches, youth leaders, and even reformed ex-offenders without retaliation or defensiveness.
Trust is built through establishing systems that notify crime victims of the status of their cases.
Trust is built through face to face patrols in which officers assigned to areas know all of the stakeholders and interact with them frequently.
Trust is built through establishing a system that deals with the fears and uneasiness of residents that promotes a feeling that the neighborhood is safe.
The administration must learn that every Black family teaches its children to fear the police, with specific instructions of how to protect themselves from being a victim of false arrest or worse, or police brutality.
The current “John Wayne” -tough guy approach makes a great news clip, but it doesn’t build trust among the stakeholders.
There are a few officers in the department who know how to get this done.
Unfortunately, their views are rarely heard.
