BENTONVILLE -- Law enforcement leaders answered a variety of questions concerning current policing issues during a forum Tuesday evening.
The forum was held in White Hall at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Rogers Police Chief Hayes Minor, Sheriff Meyer Gilbert, Bentonville Police Chief Jon Simpson, Pea Ridge Police Chief Ryan Walker and Siloam Springs Chief Jim Wilmeth answered questions at the forum. Rusty Turner, the editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, served as the moderator for the forum.
The murders of police officers in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, La., have been in national news this summer along with police shootings of black men across the country.
Minor said after the shootings in Dallas he asked his police officers not to get caught up in the rhetoric of hate especially through social media. Minor he wanted his officers to be above the fray. Minor said 80 percent of people are willing to work with law enforcement and help improve any problems that may be confronting police.
Simpson said some of the issues concerning police have resulted in more support for law enforcement and a stronger relationship with law enforcement.
Gilbert said they stress to deputies they serve the entire community and not one political party.
Diversity was a major topic addressed during the forum.
Recruiting and retention of police officers are two of the biggest problems facing departments across the country, Minor said. Minor admitted recruiting and retaining minority officers is a challenge for his department, especially bilingual officers because they can leave for much higher paying jobs.
All the chiefs and Gilbert stressed diversity is important within their departments.
Wilmeth said he would like the community's help in finding minority candidates, but noted they can have 30 applicants and only three or four left at the end of the hiring process.
Minor also mentioned an issue brought up after a police shooting in Ferguson, Mo. Minor said they had more than 11,000 traffic stops in 2015 but issued only 2,000 tickets. Minor said they didn't view their court as a money-making enterprise.
"My stance at the Rogers Police Department is I don't care if you write a ticket," Minor said.
Simpson said his department had similar numbers as the Rogers Police Department.
The law enforcement leaders tackled a question concerning mistrust of police by some blacks in the community.
Simpson said his department is holding a resident police academy with participants and several participants are black.
Walker praised one of his police officers who dresses in his uniform each Friday and buys ice cream, water and Gatorade and then passes it out to not only children but adults who may be working in the summer heat. "It's him going out and trying to reach everybody," Walker said. "We treat everyone with as much respect as they will let us. The number one rule is treat everyone with respect as much as you can."
Minor said his department also holds a resident police academy, but Minor said community meetings started by former Police Chief James Allen helped break barriers between the police and the Latino community. Minor said active communication is important to break down barriers and mistrust.
Wilmeth said they have training for officers on how to talk with people. Wilmeth said mutual respect is important to all parties.
The police chiefs and the sheriff encourage people to contact them if there's an issue with their department.
Sampson and Minor recommended people don't try to resolve any issues with a officer on side of the road, but allow the system to work and report their complaints to the appropriate departments.
One man wanted to know how to approach a police officer or deputy who may be in a store.
"We are just as human as anyone else," Wilmeth replied. "Mutual respect is important."
Michael Turner of Bentonville came to the meeting since he's interested in building a relationship with police officers. Turner hopes to meet with most of the chiefs. He also plans to invite police officers to his home quarterly for barbecue. Michael Turner is not related to Rusty Turner, the forum's moderator.
Turner said its important to have a trusting relationship with police and he's interested in building relationships with police and the community.
"I don't want Bentonville to be on the news like other cities," Turner said.
Turner is challenging others to invite police officer to their home in order to get to know their local officers. Turner said all police officers should not be judged by the actions of a few.
Turner's first barbecue will be in September with some Bentonville police officers.
Bella Vista Police Chief Ken Farmer said the forum is a positive first step. Farmer said Northwest Arkansas police departments are in a better position than some departments across the country because of the high level of professionalism that local departments strive to maintain.
"We expect our officers' interactions with the public to be as positive as possible.
NW News on 08/17/2016