Forum seeks to bridge gap between community, police

In an effort to promote transparency and relationship building between the Hot Springs community and its law enforcement agencies, there will be a live virtual public discussion between community leaders held at 6 p.m. today on Facebook.

“Community Policing Forum — The Talk” will be hosted by The Difference Makers of Hot Springs on the group’s Facebook Page.

Formal discussion attendees will include 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 will be Vice Chancellor Brian Gittens and Senior Diversity Specialist Amber Booth-McCoy.

During the discussion, viewers are welcome to submit questions through the video’s comment section.

The Rev. Willie Wade, Difference Makers founder and president, said the discussion is about “bridging the gap” between the community and law enforcement agencies and the community trusting these agencies to do right by the community — minority communities in particular.

“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.”

He noted the fact community leaders themselves are taking part in the discussions, rather than mere representatives, “speaks volumes” to their

effort and wanting to be a part of the solution.

The discussion comes in light of the death of George Floyd, a Minneapolis, Minn., Black man who died while in police custody in late May. Floyd’s death sparked protests against police brutality nationwide.

“We wanted to be proactive here in Hot Springs to sit down and begin to just look at how we go about our community policing,” Wade said. “We have not had an incident to that magnitude or degree, but we know also no city is immune to being a victim at any given time. So we just wanted to have a conversation that probably should have already been in place where we have a review board when things come about that ought to have input from the community, sometimes don’t.

“Some things are handled more internally, and we just want to be transparent in our city government, in the procedures and methods that we police our community with. With anything, you want to have feedback from the people who are going to be the most concerned or affected.”

One of the ultimate goals of the discussion is to incite progression, Wade said.

“We just hope that we move forward because you’ve got kids, for instance, who have seen a lot of TV where the police are not looked upon very favorably,” he said. “Where police are pointing gas canisters and guns at little children. Protesters being gassed with bombs, now you see these uniforms in your school.

“As a 6-year-old kid, what are your thoughts about this police officer? Is he still that friendly guy who you go to, or is he the guy who you avoid because what you have seen on TV has scarred you and has caused you trauma when you think about the police?”

He noted no change will happen overnight.

“But consistent effort, or bringing things to light, or working together as a community, we can as a whole begin to really make a difference in how (law enforcement is) perceived in Hot Springs,” Wade said.