WaGuns.org

Richmond, CA police chief discusses community policing

One thing Sullivan believes the department could do better would be to get out and walk the streets more. The key is to train the officers to view walking and talking to residents not as an added chore, but rather as a means to an end. “You're talking to people in order to get to know them,” Magnus says “to build a relationship that helps you ultimately solve or prevent a crime.”

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Much harder for deputies to get out and walk than officers who patrol a town. We covered all of Whatcom County usually with 5 deputies, maybe a reserve or two to double up the cars on a Friday or Saturday, and were hoppin' from the time we left the briefing room. Business owners in the community is who we talked with a lot. C-Stores, restaurants, etc. We did make good contacts with farmers and other folks as well. It was different back in the early 90's compared to how policing is done now.

Bravo. Get rid of the "us vs. them" mentality. Not even the better, but still bad "sheepdogs and sheep" mentality. We're all in this together.