By PATRICIA S. HARMAN
Aquia Harbour Police Department Chief
Accepting community assistance is always a double-edged sword for a police chief. The idea that people want to work as a team with their public safety officials is endearing and desirable but then there is the additional work; training, monitoring, mobilizing and more. It can be endless.
When my emergency manager brought the idea of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) to me, I hesitated. I run a community policing-based platform, and the idea of my community working hand-in-hand with my officers is as second nature to me as breathing. Even so, I hesitated. I agreed to do it, but I know now that I never really processed the full value of this program. I am well trained in the positive outcomes of team building with a community. It was taught to me by my mentor and one of the most revered police chiefs in the country: Charlie T. Deane of the Prince William County police. It enhances the quality of life of all who are involved, it builds strong communities where neighbors cooperate instead of argue and look after each other’s kids. There are fewer complaints about police and more confidence about the police department’s ability to protect them.
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