What Is a Good Police Department in a Free Society?

Over the past forty years, I have written, preached, and taught what I believed to be the right way to police a free, diverse, and democratic community. My earliest effort was in the 1980s with “How to Rate Your Local Police,” then my book “Arrested Development,” followed by over 1,500 posts on this website.

Camden, NJ abolished its troubled city police department and started anew. Their police leaders led the way. Now, a decade later, current Chief Gabriel Rodriquez gets it in so many ways — the need for emotionally mature and well-trained police (They use the well-developed ICAT system: “Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics,” an innovative, evidence-based approach to use-of-force training, and developing and maintaining strong, trustworthy relationships with the communities police serve.

The following video is worth a look — and a lot of discussion — among police and community leaders. Police can improve. Camden (a tough city) has done it. Yes, police can improve!

See the ABC News video HERE.

About Chief Rodriquez

Chief Gabriel Rodriguez assumed command of the Camden County Police Department on December 31, 2020. An East Camden native Chief Rodriguez has served the City of Camden as a police officer for more than seventeen years. Chief Rodriguez graduated from the prestigious Senior Management Institute for Policing in 2019, earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and is currently completing a master’s degree in public administration. Chief Rodriguez is recognized as a plank-holding member of the department, playing a key role in the creation and successful stand-up of the department in 2013. Throughout his career Chief Rodriguez has served in many capacities including uniformed operations, investigations, community leadership, and executive commands.

Ten Years of Organizational Improvement – from abolishment to success: The Camden Story.