TO PROTECT AND SERVE
Chief lists human rights, diversity efforts amid unprecedented law enforcement climate
Assisting in peaceful protests,. monthly reports of resident complaints, de-escalation training for use of force instructors and diversity training are some of the measures the Mt. Pleasant Police Department has taken to address human rights and diversity in the community.
Director of Public Safety Paul Lauria earlier this week updated city commissioners in a memo about the department’s continued efforts to support human rights and diversity, and listed efforts made by the department this year.
City commissioners in 2018 approved Lauria meeting with local groups to help understand and address diversity issues and human rights concerns in the city, with Lauria providing a progress report a year ago.
Since then, social unrest in parts of the United States has shed a negative light on some law enforcement agencies and officers, Lauria said in the memo.
“Well-documented difficulties have occurred in public safety departments throughout the United States in recent years and 2020 has proved to be among the most challenging to date,” Lauria wrote.
“Under a backdrop of the rapidly evolving global pandemic and the resulting fear, stress and tension that gripped communities large and small, social justice issues between law enforcement and minorities — particularly people of color — took center stage.”
High profile cases and uses of deadly force against people of color by police resulted in protests and marches across the country.
In Mt. Pleasant, marches and protests did not devolve as some have in other cities.
“These actions were, and continue to be, an effort to effect immediate and meaningful changes to police practices, accountability and fair treatment for all,” Lauria wrote.
Laura told commissioners that the department remains undeterred in its commitment to continually improve its approach to resident engagement, and to explore new and expanded initiatives that support human rights and diversity.
“We are committed to uphold
the public trust and conduct ourselves with the highest levels of professionalism, integrity and compassion, expecting excellence among all members of the department of public safety,” Lauria wrote.
Lauria provides commissioners with a monthly report of citizen complaints; in 2019, there were four and as of Wednesday, there were none in 2020.
In addition to diversity training and other measures, Lauria attended monthly virtual meetings of the Human Rights Committee, met with Joyce Henricks of the Mt. Pleasant Area Diversity Group several times, participated in Central Michigan University’s Conversations that Matter series titled “Do the Police Need to Change?” and with several MPPD officers attended last month a virtual presentation by Rodney Patterson titled “Dissecting Racism.”
Lauria said the department has also engaged Recovery, Independence, Safety and Empowerment (RISE) and entered into a collaborative agreement to establish and promote a pilot program that will create a standardized domestic and sexual violence response within the city.
“In summary, 2020 has been continued positive interactions, discussions and improved understanding between the community and the Mt. Pleasant Department of Public Safety,” Lauria wrote.
“While pleased with the progress made to date, our division remains committed to working alongside our community partners and continuing to learn from one another as we enter into 2021.”