SCDN Investigates: Defund the Police vs Support the Police- part 2
What should police departments do to regain public trust? In the wake of nationwide protests over police conduct, what needs to happen next?
In part one of this series, we asked local law enforcement leaders why so many people are angry with the police. Both agreed that anger is justified. Neither disputed the need for big changes. The big question is, what kind of change?
Joining us for this important conversation are Interim Portsmouth Police Chief, Captain Debra Brewer, and the future Scioto County Sheriff, David Thoroughman. They shared some strong opinions.
Community Involvement
To bring about reform, priorities will need to shift. Captain Brewer said community involvement must be a priority. “My personal opinion is that there does need to be more police/community involvement—not just enforcement—positive interactions.”
The head of the Portsmouth Police Department said she wanted citizens actively involved in the process. “Hopefully, we can see a change, but that works both ways. The community needs to be willing to bring the relationship to fruition.”
Accountability
David Thoroughman said that it’s time to punish those who do the wrong thing. “Law Enforcement agencies have the obligation to keep their officers accountable for their actions. And officers have the obligation to keep their fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement accountable.”
He said that in his 32 years in law enforcement, he’d work with many officers who would come forward if they witnessed a fellow officer abuse a member of the public. “Officers have the obligation to keep their fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement accountable.”
Reform
David Thoroughman won the Republican Primary for Scioto County Sheriff against Captain John Murphy. There aren’t any other candidates on the ballot for November, as a result, he’s pretty much guaranteed the job.
How would he make local law enforcement better? “Reform is needed; not defunding.”
At the top of his list for reform:
- More psych evaluations for officers
- Cultural competency training to understand the communities they serve.
Frequently, officers are exposed to trauma on the job. That trauma adversely affects their mental health. He hopes police agencies can obtain funding for proper training and treatment for officers.
Part of Thoroughman’s job as sheriff will be oversight of the Scioto County Jail. The jail has faced criticism for the death of an inmate named Kevin Bailey. Bailey was injured in an incident with guards at the jail at the end of May. He died of his injuries on June 1. That incident is currently under investigation.
Both Thoroughman and Brewer said there’s more the media can do to help relations between the community and officers.
We’ll cover that in part 3 of our special series.
