Kitchen Cabinets: Their Importance

[Ed. Note: I have been a strong proponent of “kitchen cabinets” for police chiefs. They are essential for modern, democratic police agencies. Every community has a diverse and competent group of citizens able and willing to help their police improve. This is a good way to do it and one of the pillars of true community-oriented policing.The following is a blogpost by Chief Andy Mills of Eureka, Calif., and former San Diego police captain. In 1967, the National Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice made these recommendations:

•  Citizen advice: In each police district that has a minority-group neighborhood, there should be a citizens’ advisory committee that meets regularly with police officials to work out solutions to conflict problems that arise; it should include those who are critical or aggrieved.

• Community relations: Police departments should have community relations machinery that plans and supervises the department’s community relations programs. Such machinery is a matter of the greatest importance in communities with a substantial minority population.

Today, those recommendations should apply to EVERY community regardless of whether or not that community has a ‘substantial minority population.’]

A Post From the Eureka, Calif. Police Department

“Over the past year, EPD (Eureka Police Department) with the approval of City Council, has worked to create a Chief’s Advisory Panel (CAP). The panel’s first meeting will be held at EPD HQ on August 11, 2015 at 1600 hours.

“Some members of the board have already attended training at EPD to learn more about the inner workings of EPD, its policy and procedures. Others are scheduled to observe more training next week.

“When you see the CAP members, give them your input on how you see EPD; how we can better serve you. Think about how you see the role of the police particularly here in Eureka. Should we be peace keepers, Problem solvers, strict enforcers or an occupational force keeping a wary eye.

“Each person is a distinguished member of the community and EPD is honored to have them give of their time, expertise and wisdom to help us grow into the department Eureka wants.

• “A trainer counselor who has done incredible work with the Hispanic Community and is a member of LatinoNet.
• “The Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods, Vice President of the NAACP and belongs to numerous other service clubs.
• “A trained mechanical and materials engineer, attorney in private practice and prior deputy district attorney.
• A local attorney in private practice and former member of the Big Red 1. He holds a Doctorate in Law from Santa Clara University
• “The Senior Pastor of Fist Presbyterian of Eureka. Dr. Price serves on the Board of Directors for Betty Chinn and volunteers often serving the homeless.
• “The President and CEO of Redwood Capital Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and serves on several other boards and service organizations. His bank was rated best bank to work for in California
• “An alternate on the CAP. He graduated from Lewis and Clark School of Law and is the General Manager of the Loleta Services District.

More at https://eurekapolice.wordpress.com/author/eurekapolice/