New police chief eyes better public relations
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Sewell began changing the department-citizen relationship by offering to provide police checks to homes while the occupants are on vacation. Although the program hasn?t received any calls yet, it is still in its infancy and this is not vacation season. The program will remain available, according to Sewell.
The next step is to get the police officers into the public to talk with citizens. In order to accomplish this, tips cards will be given to officers. A minimum of eight cards will be handed out by each officer every month.
The cards will have tips about ways people can protect themselves and their property during different times of the year. The tips will change relative to the month, holiday or season.
?Holidays have associated crimes,? said Sewell. ?Other crimes are associated with summer months and so on. As the seasons change, so will the tips.?
Along with helping citizens get through a season without incident, there is another reason for the tip cards.
?Getting the McMinnville Police Department employees out into the public,? said Sewell. ?When the officer speaks to the citizen, hopefully the citizen will share any concerns they have with the officer. This will benefit the officer and also might help solve crimes.?
This is the next step that will allow police officers to keep in touch with the community. Step three will be the Citizens Police Academy, which will give citizens the chance to have insight as to why police officers handle situations the way they do.
Capt. Mike Lane will be working on getting the academy going as one of his first assignments as the departments first Special Services Division commander. With funding needed, there is no scheduled time for the program to begin.
Offering services, like the ones stated above, will break down the barriers between citizens and the police department, Sewell believes. Getting police officers out in public will make them seem more approachable, according to Sewell.
Any McMinnville residents who want their house policed daily while they are out of town on vacation, please the call the police department communication center at 668-7000.