The Greenbelt Police Department (GPD) held a meeting June 18 to address questions and concerns about policing and what the department is doing. Police Chief Richard Bowers began the meeting by addressing recent events associated with police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“I want to express that I and the people of this police department do not accept or condone that behavior. It is condemned by us and it is unacceptable. The men and women of this police department, myself included, object to that type of police performance,” stated Bowers.
Floyd was killed during an arrest. Video of his arrest, showing the arresting officer kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes, sparked widespread protests, including several peaceful events in Greenbelt.
During the meeting, Bowers reaffirmed that the way the police handled the Floyd incident is not how such things are handled in Greenbelt. “We are opposed to that type of policing. We are intent on fair and unbiased policing here. It is important to us and the residents that we are a part of the community.” A big topic that he addressed early in the meeting was the use of force by police officers.
Use of Force
Captain Tim White explained how Greenbelt officers use appropriate and reasonable force. White said that Greenbelt officers’ conduct is established and monitored with policy, training and supervision.
As the nation calls for police reform and the change of certain practices, Greenbelt has already implemented some of these changes which, according to White, include banning chokeholds, providing training on how to de-escalate situations and how to use force as the last option, banning shooting at motor vehicles and requiring body camera use by officers.
The meeting was opened for questions from Greenbelt residents participating virtually. The questions covered topics such as training, increasing police force diversity and the budget.
Hiring and Training
Captain Gordon Pracht explained how officers are hired to work for the GPD. In addition to the training and testing that the State of Maryland mandates, GPD conducts its own extensive tests for potential officers. These include a mental evaluation, polygraph test and other similar evaluations, to ensure the city and its department are getting the best officers.
GPD officials explained that some training involves study visits to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the University of Maryland and other nearby centers that can provide ways for officers to become knowledgeable on important cultural issues.
School Resource Officers
In the meeting, the topic of school resource officers (SROs) (see article page 8) was raised. In some parts of the U.S., the removal of SROs from schools has been a hot topic between police departments and schools. The GPD believes that the SRO program is of great value, especially in a small community like Greenbelt, because it allows for the school and police department to create a valuable relationship, not simply as police officer and student but as teachers and mentors.
Community Bike Ride
The GPD is working on the challenge of building trust within minority communities.
Bowers announced that on Saturday, June 27 beginning at 8 a.m., the GPD is hosting a Chief’s Bike Ride, an event in which people of all ages are invited to ride along with bicycle officers. The ride will begin and end in the rear parking lot of Beltway Plaza and riders are invited to join in at various points around town. Participants must have a functional bicycle and helmet.
The police officers and different community organizations will ride for four to six miles with the intention of better connecting the community with the officers.
The GPD believes that events like the bike ride or the provision of SROs allow for community members to see officers in a new light without there being a confrontational event. Such interactions with residents provide ideas and build bridges in the community to create a bond with communities of color.
“Our role is as caretakers of the community. We are not here to oversee or be warriors of the community or just to help when there is a crisis,” said Bowers. He continued with, “Our job is to be a part of the community and to help lead when there is a crisis.”
Questions that couldn’t be answered in the meeting are being researched so that correct answers can be provided. Residents wishing to provide feedback or ask questions are encouraged to communicate with the police, who are looking forward to hearing from residents.