Leaders of both the Dalton Police Department and the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in a forum on the relationship between police and the community next week. The Community Unity Forum, which is being jointly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dalton and the Carpet City Rotary Club, will also include other community leaders as part of a panel discussion.
The forum will be held on Tuesday evening, Oct. 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mack Gaston Community Center, 218 North Fredrick St.
Participating in the panel discussion will be Chief Jason Parker of the Dalton Police Department, Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood, America Gruner of the Coalition of Latino Leaders, Dr. Bonnie Samora of Dalton State College, and Bishop Stephen Thomas from the Community Fellowship Church of Ministries. The panel discussion will be moderated by David Aft of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and Reverend Rodney Weaver and members of the audience will have the opportunity to present questions to the panelists.
Topics for discussion will include issues that are making national headlines such as the use of force by police and communicating with the community during a crisis. Local law enforcement leaders have had positive discussions with members of the community at a rally march and also a community cookout earlier this year. The forum is intended to build on that communication and make more connections.
“It's important to stay in touch with all parts of the community, so we need to be talking today and build on the trust we've gained with our community,” said Chief Parker. “If we keep communication open, we'll be able to handle tough situations better as one unified community.”
“I think it is very important that the citizens of the community have a direct connection to all that are in leadership roles,” adds Sheriff Chitwood. “It is my hope that those in attendance will come with encouraging words of support for those that are charged with keeping our community safe and at peace. In addition, I hope that when the program is concluded, that it is clear, that simple hugs can be exchanged without having any particular reason.”
Chief Parker expects to hear some questions about use of force incidents that have made headlines around the country, and hopes to discuss the issue from the local perspective.
"Our local officers use force very seldom, especially when you consider the tens of thousands of contacts they have each year,” said Chief Parker. "We want to communicate that officers take many steps before resorting to force, and hopefully explain the level of accountability which governs officers' actions. For years, our officers have been slowing things down in critical incidents like a barricaded, lone suspect. That approach takes much longer and uses more resources, but the outcome is fewer injuries to officers and suspects, and that suspect is held accountable for their actions.”
That won’t be the only topic of discussion at the community forum. Other topics for discussion will include police recruiting and how both law enforcement agencies are working to address concerns of the residents they serve. The forum is for all members of the Dalton and Whitfield County communities.
"Our officers are doing a great job in the community and we need to reinforce the message to all groups that our primary mission is to continue to keep the community safe,” said Chief Parker. “But no police department can do that acting alone. We need cooperation from our citizens. I think we have earned that, but we want to show that we don't take it for granted".