are<\/em> the community. And that\u2019s what we want to make sure we convey to our citizens.\u201d<\/p>\nHarrison also stated his belief that \u201ccommunity policing is the way to go toward building trust. As police officers, we have to put in the same sweat equity that everyone else puts in.\u201d He cited playground cleanups, community food bank giveaways and picking up trash in vacant lots as just a few ways \u201cour officers can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the community. Only by putting in the same work ethic and sweat equity will citizens be able to view us differently. We want (the public) to see us as a partner. That\u2019s the cultural change we\u2019re working to teach to our police department.”<\/p>\n
The superintendent also discussed the federal consent decree under which his department is operating, the goals of which are \u201cmaking sweeping reforms\u201d in such sensitive area in racial profiling, the use of force and improvements in training and ethics. \u201cThe decree is allowing us to study and implement the best practices from all around the country,\u201d including the \u201cBest Practices Model\u201d program\u201d developed by the San Jose (California) Police Department.<\/p>\n
The police chief also addressed the image problem faced by NOPD, which mirrors the image problem other police departments around the country also face. \u201cWhen you see the problems we\u2019ve had in the media, it\u2019s all been because of accountability,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to build a department you can be proud of, one that you actually pay for, and one in which we\u2019re partnering with the community. We want there to be no distinction between the police and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harrison also stressed the intensified training that all police officers, detectives, supervisors and others have to go through. The number of hours they have to put in in classrooms and training facilities has been increased, in accordance with federal guidelines.<\/p>\n
Two members of NOPD\u2019s SWAT Team were sent to Baltimore to help out and observe, then bring their experiences and observations back to New Orleans, the superintendent explained. \u201cIf we ever have an issue that\u2019s similar, which we pray we\u2019ll never have, we would be able to handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harrison also praised the NOPD\u2019s use of body cameras as a means of visually documenting what happens with officers in the line of duty. He cited two specific instances of extreme actions taken by NOPD officers in which the camera-recorded evidence left little room for questions by the media as to whether or not those actions were appropriate.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of our police officers who are responding to calls are now recording every incident. We are proud to say we are one of the leaders in the nation in the use of body cameras,\u201d Chief Harrison said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, building trust is the way to preventing New Orleans from becoming Baltimore,\u201d Chief Harrison said, at the conclusion of his remarks. \u201cIt\u2019s not just me: it\u2019s every member of our police department.\u201d<\/p>\n
The media is not our friend,\u201d Harrison added. \u201cThey\u2019re not very helpful and they shape how people view us. So everything we\u2019re doing now is about reshaping our image. It\u2019s about holding people accountable, bringing the brightest and best into the police department and getting rid of the people who are hurting us.”<\/p>\n
In his concluding remarks Harrison added that he and his top commanders must manage ” the department well enough to get out there and prevent crime, deter crime and apprehend those who do it.” Then, he noted, “we can sell the story in such a way that the media can\u2019t hurt us. They can highlight the successes that we\u2019re having.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Harrison_CohnTS\"](\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Harrison_CohnTS.jpg\")