Law enforcement leaders discuss policing

BENTONVILLE — Pea Ridge Police Chief Ryan Walker was one of several law enforcement leaders who answered a variety of questions concerning current policing issues during a forum Tuesday.

The forum, held at Northwest Arkansas Community College, included Rogers Police Chief Hayes Minor, Sheriff Meyer Gilbert, Bentonville Police Chief Jon Simpson and Siloam Springs Police Chief Jim Wilmeth. Rusty Turner, editor of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, served as the moderator.

The murders of police officers in Dallas, Texas, and Baton Rouge, La., have been in national news this summer along with police shootings of black men across the country.

“We treat everyone with as much respect as they will let us,” Walker said.

Walker praised one of his police officers who dresses in his uniform each Friday and buys ice cream, water and Gatorade and then passes it out to not only children but adults who may be working in the summer heat.

“It’s him going out and trying to reach everybody,” Walker said. “We treat everyone with as much respect as they will let us. The number one rule is treat everyone with respect as much as you can.”

Simpson said some of the issues concerning police have resulted in more support for law enforcement and a stronger relationship with law enforcement.

The police chiefs and the sheriff encourage people to contact them if there’s an issue with their department.

Sampson and Minor recommended people don’t try to resolve any issues with a officer on side of the road, but allow the system to work and report their complaints to the appropriate departments.

Bella Vista Police Chief Ken Farmer said the forum is a positive first step. Farmer said northwest Arkansas police departments are in a better position than some departments across the country because of the high level of professionalism that local departments strive to maintain.

“We expect our officers’ interactions with the public to be as positive as possible,” Farmer said.