“Policing is a public trust,” states Tim Cameron, Sheriff of St. Mary's County. “There must be an organizational commitment to not only respond to crime but to prevent it through strong police-community interactions and relationships. As Robert Peel, the first Commissioner of London’s Scotland Yard said, 'The police are the people, and the people are the police.'
“The public has the right to expect that police officers will carry out their duties in a manner that is consistent with the dictates of the Constitution,” Sheriff Cameron adds. “Public trust is based on a relationship that is reciprocal in nature, fostered by officers who demonstrate the highest ethical standards while being supported by an engaged community. In essence, the goal is to achieve partnerships that promote cooperation between the police and community as they work together towards a shared vision.”
Beginning in September the Sheriff’s Office will host a series of training sessions. Sheriff Cameron and the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office will work to strengthen the bonds between local officers and the community they serve, by hosting workshops on “Community Policing and Building Relationships of Trust.” The workshops will be led by Dr. Melanye Smith, a 20-year veteran and administrator of the Metropolitan Police Department (Ret.) and a contributing faculty member at Ashford and Walden Universities. Dr. Smith will bring together officers and citizens in an environment designed to encourage open engagement and enhanced understanding of each other’s positions and concerns. To that end, Sheriff Tim Cameron invites all community leaders, activists, and interested residents to participate in these workshops.
“Policing is a public trust,” states Tim Cameron, Sheriff of St. Mary's County. “There must be an organizational commitment to not only respond to crime but to prevent it through strong police-community interactions and relationships. As Robert Peel, the first Commissioner of London’s Scotland Yard said, 'The police are the people, and the people are the police.'
“The
public has the right to expect that police officers will carry out their duties
in a manner that is consistent with the dictates of the Constitution,” Sheriff
Cameron adds. “Public trust is based on a relationship that is reciprocal in
nature, fostered by officers who demonstrate the highest ethical standards while
being supported by an engaged community. In essence, the goal is to achieve
partnerships that promote cooperation between the police and community as they
work together towards a shared vision.”
Beginning
in September the Sheriff’s Office will host a series of training sessions.
Sheriff Cameron and the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office will work to
strengthen the bonds between local officers and the community they serve, by
hosting workshops on “Community Policing and Building Relationships of Trust.”
The workshops will be led by Dr. Melanye Smith, a 20-year veteran and administrator of the Metropolitan Police
Department (Ret.) and a contributing faculty member at Ashford and Walden
Universities. Dr. Smith will bring together officers and citizens in an
environment designed to encourage open engagement and enhanced understanding of
each other’s positions and concerns. To that end, Sheriff Tim Cameron invites
all community leaders, activists, and
interested residents to participate in these workshops.
The
workshops will focus on the interdependency of the police and their family
members with the community, and will examine their mutual interest in building
relationships of trust. Workshop participants will explore leadership
capabilities, emotional intelligence, and the experiences of mindfulness, hope,
and compassion. Dr. Smith will explain the theory, research, and practice of
communication, building trusting relationships, and the concept of emotional
intelligence. These efforts are aimed at
marking the beginning of a sustained positive change.
“This
training is for law enforcement officers and officers’ family members, as well
as for civilians and community members,” says Dr. Smith. “The workshops are
geared towards moving each participant from their current position along an
ideological continuum, by generating dialogue that enhances understanding and
meaning and helps to create a shared vision.”
The
first program will be held on September 21, 2016, at Lexington Park Elementary
School. The Sheriff’s Office is soliciting participation for the second session
which is scheduled for Saturday, October
22, 2016, at the Circuit Courthouse in Leonardtown from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Those interested in attending are asked to contact Sgt. Richard Russell at 301-475-4200, ext. *8062, or by email at Richard.Russell@stmarysmd.com.
The first program will be held on September 21, 2016, at Lexington Park Elementary School. The Sheriff’s Office is soliciting participation for the second session which is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2016, at the Circuit Courthouse in Leonardtown from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Those interested in attending are asked to contact Sgt. Richard Russell at 301-475-4200, ext. *8062, or by email at Richard.Russell@stmarysmd.com.
