Citizens learn about police business

The first class of the Citizens Police Academy held by McMinnville Police Department was Thursday night.

The class, the idea of Police Chief Charlie Sewell, is meant to build a positive relationship between citizens and police officers.

?Policing is a partnership,? said Sewell. ?You have the same ability as a police officer. You live in the community and you know more of what is going on than we do. That partnership will increase the quality of life in the community by helping the police solve crimes.?

According to Sewell, the police department wants to be a change agent. He wants this class to change the relationship between citizens and police officers. Instead of just driving around and giving out tickets, police officers want to be partners with citizens in preventing and solving crimes.

After a warm welcome by Sewell and an explanation about what the class is meant to achieve, members of the class received a tour of the recently remodeled police department.

Although the department is meant to offer security to the residents of McMinnville, the building housing the officers themselves was lacking in security. Currently the front lobby has been redone and only department employees have access into the department.

?This department was lacking in security,? said Sewell. ?It was the only department I know of where people were allowed access to the building. If there was someone who was angry with a police officer, they could walk right in. That puts lives at risk.?

After the tour, the class was taken to the 911 Communication Center for a tour. The center, run by director Chuck Haston, is a secure building that has a staff of 15.

The department receives about 300 calls a day from residents who may need fire, EMS or law enforcement assistance.

?We are a communication center,? said Haston. ?When a call comes into the dispatch center, all the information we need comes up with the number and we notify the proper authorities.?

As for the recent controversy in Nashville regarding their dispatch center and its handling of calls, which some think slows down the dispatch of emergency personal, Haston eased the minds of everyone when he said his department ?gets the equipment on the street first and then, if needed, more questions are asked. We base our response on what you tell us.?

After a tour of the secure 911 building, members of the group returned to the police department. The next meeting will be March 1.