Hot Springs online forum focus on policing

HOT SPRINGS — Community leaders took part in a public online discussion Tuesday in an effort to promote transparency and relationship building between the community and its law enforcement agencies.

“Community Policing Forum — The Talk” was hosted on the group Facebook page of Difference Makers of Hot Springs.

Formal discussion attendees included County Judge Darryl Mahoney, City Manager Bill Burrough, Garland County Sheriff Mike McCormick, Hot Springs Police Chief Chris Chapmond, Hot Springs School District Superintendent Stephanie Nehus, Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness CEO Rob Gershon and community advocate Elmer Beard.

Guest moderators were Vice Chancellor Brian Gittens and Senior Diversity Specialist Amber Booth-McCoy.

Viewers could submit questions through the video’s comment section.

The Rev. Willie Wade, founder and president of Difference Makers, said the discussion was about “bridging the gap” between community and law enforcement agencies and communities, particularly minority communities.

“You won’t know until you talk as to what needs to be addressed,” Wade said. “Our hope is this conversation will begin a discussion that will periodically take place because the whole thing, to me, behind conversations like this is to build momentum to change policies and ordinance, to change uniform standards as to how we may train our officers as to what to look for, what the community is saying they may need, and how do we work together in collaboration.”

He noted the collaboration required for these efforts must be an equal one.

“It has to be an equal collaboration in order for it to be a safe and operating community,” Wade said. “There’s responsibility on both sides … and the only way it can work properly is if we work together in a mutual harmony for the better good of the police so they’re able to conduct what they need to conduct and that the citizens are able to move about freely without fear for their lives or their safety.”