CALIFORNIA Chief’s new approach boosts force

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Calif.

In December, the openly gay, white police chief of this tough, minority-dominated Northern California city held up a sign reading “#blacklivesmatter” during a protest over the deaths of two unarmed black suspects at the hands of Missouri and New York police.

The photo of Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus, 64, with the sign went viral, sparking criticism from the local police officers’ union and debate over whether his participation was appropriate.

But the episode also put a spotlight on a grass-roots policing style credited with turning around a moribund department and helping drive down crime in an industrial city plagued by gang violence. While similar cities grapple with vocal and sometime-violent unrest over police relations, Magnus and his department have won over many residents and political leaders with an unconventional policing style that stresses community outreach over show of force.

Code enforcement, homeless outreach and a shake-up of command duties to build stronger ties to the community are on his agenda.