By Jocelyn Bogen
July 12, 2004

The United States Conference of Mayors convened in Boston for a workshop June 25 on Reinforcing Community Trust: The Role of Community Policing and the Mayor in Building Trust in the Police Department and Better Engaging Citizens in Working with the Police, sponsored by the Mayors' Institute on Community Policing and the COPS Office of The Department of Justice. Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Chair of the Criminal and Social Justice Standing Committee, opened the session which focused on examining successful approaches mayors and police departments are implementing to create a culture of trust between police and the citizens they serve, including police training to promote police integrity, ensure appropriate police interactions with the public, and avert inappropriate use of force in the police department. "When community confidence in the police department is shaken because of an emergency or critical incident, mayors are in an ideal position of leadership to build and maintain community trust in public safety personnel," stated Bollwage.

After decades of public mistrust of Miami police officers, Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz decided to be proactive in reforming the police department's structure and improving public perceptions of the police force. First, he conducted a national search for new, diverse police department top management and instituted one of the most progressive Use of Force policies in the nation. "Since I have been in office, not a single shot has been fired by an officer on a civilian," stated Diaz. The department centralized its disciplinary function. Diaz added, "We began videotaping interrogations, created a new firearms review board, formed bicycle patrols, trained neighborhood resource officers and instituted citizens on patrol. Crime continues to fall downwards, while arrests are up."

Miami Police Chief John Timoney outlined the details of the department's "No Shoot Policy" stressing that his officers are instructed to keep their fingers off the triggers while on patrol. He highlighted the monthly bicycle patrol he takes with his top three captains. "Once a month, we ride into the neighborhoods/districts, sit down, eat and talk with citizens," emphasized Chief Timoney.

Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith, who was recently appointed to serve as a member of the Emergency Services, Law Enforcement, and Public Health and Hospitals Senior Advisory Committee to the President's Homeland Security Advisory Council, outlined the methodology for the successful implementation of civilian review boards.

Director Sharee M. Freeman, Community Relations Service (CRS) of the U.S. Department of Justice, which helps local communities resolve serious racial and ethnic conflicts closed the session. The CRS resources, including mediation disputes and conflicts, training in conflict resolution skills, and help in developing ways to prevent and resolve conflicts, are provided to local officials and leaders by trained federal mediators on a voluntary and cost-free basis. "When a crisis has occurred or is just about to occur... we-re the ones you call," stated Freeman.