(July 28, 2016) How to establish positive and peaceful interactions with law enforcement, in light of the continuing onslaught of deadly encounters between police and African-Americans, was the primary focus of a Worcester County NAACP Town Hall meeting and panel discussion at the Germantown School Community Center in Berlin last Thursday.
On the panel were Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro, Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing, Worcester Sheriff Lt. Andy McGee, Worcester Sheriff Reggie Mason, Worcester Sheriff Corporal Dale Trotter, Pocomoke Police Chief Bill Harden and Maryland State Police Commander Earl Starner.
Dr. Roxie Davis, former Worcester County NAACP president, questioned if, and how, officers are given regular reminders to be equitable in their treatment of minority community members.
Constant reinforcement is crucial, Buzzuro said.
“What we practice is the three words — everything else kind of encompasses these three words — friendly, fair and firm,” he said. “We’re friendly first, we’re fair and if we have to be we’re going to be firm.”
Buzzuro said his officers are expected to work with the community in a positive manner.
“My mantra, my philosophy, my vision, above all else our department is professional,” he said. “That’s the standard, that’s minimum for us to be professional, to go above that is the expectation as well.”
Starner said the state police are guided by the values of integrity, fairness and service.
“When you think about integrity, it’s simply doing the right thing when no one else is looking, just because it’s the right thing,” he said. “That’s treating people without bias.”
The troopers are in the midst of training to recognize the implications of implicit bias, Starner said.
“The first thing to recognize is we all have it,” he said.
Age is often a factor, Starner said, noting the challenges are more substantial with younger, less-seasoned recruits.
“At 21 there’s not a lot of life experiences to rely on there,” he said. “That certainly may affect how you perceive the troopers and how they perceive the scenario that they’re in.”
Regardless of generational differences, Sheriff Mason said it boils down to the golden rule.
“One thing I teach my group is treat everyone with respect and you earn respect,” he said.
Cpl. Trotter said it’s vital for the community to see officers in a non-confrontational atmosphere and feels it is incumbent upon his brethren to extend a hand.
“The police officer needs to open that door. He needs to get out and say, ‘Hey, how are doing I’m Dale Trotter,’ without the rank without the auspices of being sheriff or a deputy and make people understand that we are just like you,” he said. “If I get cut, I bleed red, if you get cut you bleed red. We’re all the same.”
Anne Watson-Waples, a Worcester County resident for nearly two decades and a parent, asked, “How (do) my children approach you gentlemen with badges and guns and feel that you are protecting them, are there for them, are looking out for them? And how you, in turn approach them, not always fair and friendly, but sometimes firm and aggressive? How will I teach my children to handle that?”
Suggesting that some of the responsibility lies with parents, Mason offered one suggestion.
“Be a role model and talk to your kids,” he said.
Admitting there is often a tendency to pass judgment based on appearance, Harden said law enforcement must also analyze its approach.
“Just because I have dreadlocks, or my pants are hanging, I could have a PhD, “ he said. “ We need to be educated too. The way we do that is through training and keeping it real.”
Watson-Waples said she longs for positive relations between younger community members and police to foster mutual understanding, but feels it is short supply.
“I see more of a negative approach to the children and I’d like to see that differently, because not every child is always wrong in their circle of friends,” she said. “It would be nice to see a police officer approach them friendly rather than an assumption that something is going wrong.”
Harder said the first step is non-confrontational interactions where youth and police can simply learn about each other.
“It’s not me pulling you over in a car, it’s you coming out where I can really meet and deal with you one on one,” he said. “You get to know me and the type of person that I am, and I get to know you and the type of young man that you are.”
Starner said both sides have to consider bias.
“Help your kids recognize if maybe they have a bias against the police,” he said. “You have to recognize the biases you have first, then you have to go recognize what they are to make good choices.”
Davis expressed a desire for increased rapport and openness, while calling for a greater emphasis on education.
“We have to teach our children what to do and how to handle themselves when it comes to the police force,” she said. “We’re going to have to all come together as one.”
Trotter said that despite the ominous times, shared values still exist.
“We need stronger communities, we need people that aren’t afraid to contact the police, we need police that aren’t afraid to go into the communities,” he said. “I think if we all get back to our values, things will get better.”
On the panel were Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro, Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing, Worcester Sheriff Lt. Andy McGee, Worcester Sheriff Reggie Mason, Worcester Sheriff Corporal Dale Trotter, Pocomoke Police Chief Bill Harden and Maryland State Police Commander Earl Starner.
Dr. Roxie Davis, former Worcester County NAACP president, questioned if, and how, officers are given regular reminders to be equitable in their treatment of minority community members.
Constant reinforcement is crucial, Buzzuro said.
“What we practice is the three words — everything else kind of encompasses these three words — friendly, fair and firm,” he said. “We’re friendly first, we’re fair and if we have to be we’re going to be firm.”
Buzzuro said his officers are expected to work with the community in a positive manner.
“My mantra, my philosophy, my vision, above all else our department is professional,” he said. “That’s the standard, that’s minimum for us to be professional, to go above that is the expectation as well.”
Starner said the state police are guided by the values of integrity, fairness and service.
“When you think about integrity, it’s simply doing the right thing when no one else is looking, just because it’s the right thing,” he said. “That’s treating people without bias.”
The troopers are in the midst of training to recognize the implications of implicit bias, Starner said.
“The first thing to recognize is we all have it,” he said.
Age is often a factor, Starner said, noting the challenges are more substantial with younger, less-seasoned recruits.
“At 21 there’s not a lot of life experiences to rely on there,” he said. “That certainly may affect how you perceive the troopers and how they perceive the scenario that they’re in.”
Regardless of generational differences, Sheriff Mason said it boils down to the golden rule.
“One thing I teach my group is treat everyone with respect and you earn respect,” he said.
Cpl. Trotter said it’s vital for the community to see officers in a non-confrontational atmosphere and feels it is incumbent upon his brethren to extend a hand.
“The police officer needs to open that door. He needs to get out and say, ‘Hey, how are doing I’m Dale Trotter,’ without the rank without the auspices of being sheriff or a deputy and make people understand that we are just like you,” he said. “If I get cut, I bleed red, if you get cut you bleed red. We’re all the same.”
Anne Watson-Waples, a Worcester County resident for nearly two decades and a parent, asked, “How (do) my children approach you gentlemen with badges and guns and feel that you are protecting them, are there for them, are looking out for them? And how you, in turn approach them, not always fair and friendly, but sometimes firm and aggressive? How will I teach my children to handle that?”
Suggesting that some of the responsibility lies with parents, Mason offered one suggestion.
“Be a role model and talk to your kids,” he said.
Admitting there is often a tendency to pass judgment based on appearance, Harden said law enforcement must also analyze its approach.
“Just because I have dreadlocks, or my pants are hanging, I could have a PhD, “ he said. “ We need to be educated too. The way we do that is through training and keeping it real.”
Watson-Waples said she longs for positive relations between younger community members and police to foster mutual understanding, but feels it is short supply.
“I see more of a negative approach to the children and I’d like to see that differently, because not every child is always wrong in their circle of friends,” she said. “It would be nice to see a police officer approach them friendly rather than an assumption that something is going wrong.”
Harder said the first step is non-confrontational interactions where youth and police can simply learn about each other.
“It’s not me pulling you over in a car, it’s you coming out where I can really meet and deal with you one on one,” he said. “You get to know me and the type of person that I am, and I get to know you and the type of young man that you are.”
Starner said both sides have to consider bias.
“Help your kids recognize if maybe they have a bias against the police,” he said. “You have to recognize the biases you have first, then you have to go recognize what they are to make good choices.”
Davis expressed a desire for increased rapport and openness, while calling for a greater emphasis on education.
“We have to teach our children what to do and how to handle themselves when it comes to the police force,” she said. “We’re going to have to all come together as one.”
Trotter said that despite the ominous times, shared values still exist.
“We need stronger communities, we need people that aren’t afraid to contact the police, we need police that aren’t afraid to go into the communities,” he said. “I think if we all get back to our values, things will get better.”