Public weighs in on Department of Justice report on Fayetteville police
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- The U.S. Department of Justice has given Fayetteville police an "A" for the department's overall policing efforts.
A five-page preliminary report was given to city council members Monday night. The DOJ spent several months surveying and anonymously interviewing city residents about their feelings for police, and the job the department is doing.
Police Chief Harold Medlock asked the DOJ to take a hard look at the department and assess everything from traffic stops, to searches, and even police involved shootings.
The preliminary findings show that residents think the police are doing a good job solving crimes, and officers are polite and helpful. However, residents also think police could do a better job of helping residents prevent crime.
DOJ recommendations include better communications with young people through social media, and getting officers more involved community residents.
Medlock called the report eye-opening.
"I see some glaring things we need to do as a police department, and that our community needs to do," Medlock said. "We need to strengthen relationships to build a partnership and build trust."
In 2011, residents complained and accused police of racial profiling and poor policing efforts. Two years later, in 2013, Medlock took over the department. Since then, Medlock has improved community relations along with the department's image and operations.
Still, DOJ officials said there is room for improvement.
"In order to build that mutual trust, it comes from working together overtime", said the DOJ consultant Stephen Rickman. "You achieve common goals and objectives and you do it at the neighborhood levels. You stick with that over time and you will fundamentally change the way policing is done in Fayetteville."
Tuesday, the public got a chance to see the report and hear from DOJ representatives at a public meeting at the Smith Recreation Center on Slater Avenue.
At times it sounded like a pep rally and motivation meeting. The Justice Department and Fayetteville police came to the meeting with crime fighting recommendations, while residents just want to feel safe.
"All I care about keeping the bullets out of the children," said Kurin Keys, who is a business owner and a parent.
Keys was among the residents who listened to Justice Department consultants talk about findings and recommendations from their preliminary report.
Business owner Justin Freeman said the community has to pull together.
"We have to put our differences aside and should definitely make a movement together as one," said Freeman.
"We hold our police to a very high standard, and I think we should, but we should also be vigilant in making sure we do some of the policing," said Rev. Brian Thompson.
It's certainly a bold initiative to many.
"What we are trying to do is educate the community that every life is valuable," said city council member Larry Wright.
It's a tough sell, but Medlock said it's worth it.
"I think folks heard us. Now, we just have to live up to it and folks have to trust in me that we are going to do the right things," said Medlock.
