Successful Policing is About Relationships, Not Hardware

In light of the demonstrations in Ferguson Mo., partly peaceful, partly punctuated by looting and violence, the question of the move towards the militarization of local police departments has become a hot topic of debate. With a population of around 20,000 and a sworn police force of 54 officers, Ferguson mirrors both the population and police force size of Middle Township. This naturally begs the question, how “militarized” is our police force and how does it affect the Middle Township Police Department’s (MTPD) relationship with our residents?
While the MTPD, as a stand-alone department and in shared agreements with the county and other local agencies, is ready at all times to protect the lives and property of our residents; a police department’s authority comes not from firepower and force but from its legitimacy within the community it serves.
The recent standoff in Middle Township, involving a barricaded suspect, reminds us that at any given moment a crisis can arise that requires a response that is appropriate to the seriousness of the situation. In this instance, I don’t think any fair-minded person would call the use of the county SWAT team and nonlethal use of force an overreaction. In the end, the response proved effective at apprehending the suspect unharmed and protecting the lives of our police men and women.
No town is immune from these scenarios and ongoing training and proper equipment are essential, if we take our mission to protect and serve seriously. However, the MTPD has received no weapons from the Department of Defense 1033 program, only high-wheel vehicles for assistance in water rescue for storms, some generators and storage equipment.
The authority of government in general and of a police department in particular, is built on the foundation of trust that must be earned from the community they serve. There are over 330 million Americans. Including federal agents, there are about 800 thousand men and women serving at all levels of law enforcement today. It is not sheer numbers or powerful weaponry that leads the vast majority of Americans to be law-abiding citizens. It is the acceptance of the legitimacy of government and the authority of those invested in enforcing our laws. Law and order is maintained by the consent of the governed. That consent can only be upheld when citizens have confidence that they can influence the process and that laws are applied fairly and blindly across the board.
The mission of the Middle Township Police Department is plainly stated, “The men and women of the Middle Township Police Department in partnership with the community are committed to enhancing the quality of life and fostering a sense of security in the community. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of performance and ethics while affording dignity and respect to every individual.”
By living these words and focusing on this mission 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, our department is committed to earning the trust and support of all our residents. One only needs to read the comprehensive Annual Report, released by the MTPD every year. In the report you will read about the Cops and Coffee program, as well as the numerous community groups, homeowners associations, neighborhood watch groups and non-profit groups that the department engages through their community policing efforts.
Our officers live in our community and give back through the Middle Township Police Officer Association’s Annual Christmas Toy Drive, Thanksgiving turkey giveaway and their support of local youth sports teams. It’s also important to note that the demographic makeup of our department closely mirrors that of the township’s population. This community engagement, along with as much transparency as possible, goes a long way to building mutual trust and respect between our officers and our residents.
No town is immune to the type of tragedy that struck Ferguson, Mo. Only a fair and thorough investigation, respecting the due process rights of all involved, will get to the truth. But on any given day, police officers may be forced to make split-second, life and death decisions under extreme duress. It is the work done every other day that builds the bank of trust between a town and its police department. The ultimate goal is that no matter what a day may bring, the people and police of Middle Township will always walk side by side in peaceful partnership. That partnership cannot be enforced with military hardware. It can only be earned by enforcing the law fairly, respecting the worth and dignity of all our residents.
The writer of this Op-Ed piece is the mayor of Middle Township, Timothy Donohue, running for re-election in November.