No matter how much trust a local police force has earned over decades of outreach and training, an incident like the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month can only be seen as a major setback. Communities, particularly those of color, respond to this kind of national tragedy questioning all forms of law enforcement, even those that have been doing the right thing continuously in serving and protecting their towns and counties.
With that in mind, the Spy thought it would be a good time to check in with the region’s top public safety leaders to hear first hand their impressions on the police role in the death of Mr. Floyd, and how they are processing the event and its consequences.
We begin with Sheriff Joe Gamble of Talbot County.
This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about the Talbot County Sheriff’s Department, please go here.
Eva Smoraniuk, MD says
Thank you to Sheriff Gamble for speaking and also providing some background as to training requirements for officers. It would be nice to hear from our Easton Chief of Police as well, and have him address, specifically, the training in racial and ethnic sensitivity. As a resident of Talbot County, I would like to be reassured that our law enforcement officers have both training and some type of on-going dialogue with the community they serve.
Editor says
The Spy will be posting our interview with Easton chief of police Dave Spenser on Monday as part of this series.
Alexa Seip says
Well said, Sheriff Gamble. Thank you.
Kay Perkins says
Thank you, Sheriff Gamble, for your exceptional leadership reassuring all that Talbot County is in capable hands. Thanks also to the SPY for publishing your statement at this chaotic and sad time in our country.
Catherine Richards says
Thank you. A well connected, well-informed community needs to hear from and interact with all of our law enforcement divisions and their leaders. We all need to learn how to figure out what the right questions are, then ask them and then LISTEN.
BRAD HOPKINS says
I don’t need to hear about EPD being “prepared”. What tired old law-and-order BS that is. Here are SOME of the elements of police reform that fellow citizens say they want from our Mayor, Councils and EPD Chief.
1. Community policing becomes our TOP PRIORITY
2. Mayor appoints a police chief WITH AN ADVANCED DEGREE.
3. Police Chief develops a RIGOROUS community policing curriculum in partnership with Chesapeake College.
4. These courses are MANDATORY for all service personnel… and ONGOING.
5. Additionally, all Officers are required to take and pass standardized IQ and EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE tests.
6. COGNITIVELY CHALLENGED or UNSTABLE INDIVIDUALS are dismissed.
7. New officers are NOT trained in the use of DEADLY FORCE.
8. NO WEAPONS or TACTICAL TRAINING b4 five years of service w/o incident.
9. Officers are REQUIRED TO LIVE IN THE TOWN THEY SERVE.
10. New hires HAVE A BACHELORS DEGREE in relevant PSYCH/SOC.
11. Officers ride bikes and light duty motorcycles WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
12. Use of SQUAD CARS is radically reduced.
13. Officers are required to memorize the names of EVERY HOUSEHOLD on their beat. They are regularly tested on these and other SERVICE METRICS.
14. Officers STICK WITH A BEAT for a good while; no unnecessary rotation
15. Easton/Talbot residents are REGULARLY polled on how they perceive their law enforcement. Community “town hall meetings” are held ONCE A MONTH by EPD Chief and Council Pres w/o exception.
16. Mayor and Council hold POLICE CHIEF ACCOUNTABLE for these outcomes.
17. Officers are paid a living wage, starting at $54k annual, rising to $74k annual at five years.
This is what many of us want our EPD to look and behave like. Comments?