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Police chiefs and clergy discuss plans to address community incident
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Police shootings that have resulted in racial unrest and violence in communities throughout the U.S. provided the impetus for a new protocol for law enforcement in Youngstown.
City Police Chief Robin Lees and Guy Burney, Community Initiative to Reduce Violence coordinator, developed the protocol. It evolved from regular conversations Lees has with clergy.
On Wednesday, the points were shared with Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association and other clergy should a similar situation occur here. The gathering of about 45 people took place at Mill Creek Park’s Pioneer Pavilion.
Burney said the aftermath of a shooting on April 4, 2015, in North Charleston, S.C., provided the impetus. In it, a black man was fatally shot by a white police officer.
“We knew we had to have a protocol in place if something like that should occur here,” Burney said. “We’re working hard so it doesn’t happen here, but we realize it can happen anywhere.”
Mill Creek MetroParks Police Chief James D. Willock offered a synopsis of a recent situation at the park, when a group of young people got into an altercation, and one youth showed a firearm. That youth fled the group, and police were alerted. A park officer confronted a youth fitting the description.
“He refused to comply with taking his hands out of pockets in his hoodie,” Willock said. Fortunately, the youth was taken into custody, but Willock noted, “It could have turned out bad.” Later, police discovered the youth had thrown away the gun.
In a presentation, Burney distributed a sheet listing five points of protocol for law enforcement after a community incident. They are:
Within 24 hours, an informational meeting about the incident will convene with the major, police chief, CIRV director, city council members, faith-based leaders, civic leaders including NAACP and block watch leaders.
City and community leadership will contact the family of the victim.
The officer will be placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
A news conference with a collaborative group will take place.
A small group of community and faith-based leadership will monitor the investigation and report to the community.
Burney then asked police and clergy to discuss the points and then share some additional ideas.
“Getting out in front a situation is important,” said Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene. Those at his table suggested formation of a community-relations board – an advisory group that could include a lawyer, teacher and clergy, who would be involved should an incident occur.
The Rev. John Allen of Sword of the Lord ministries on the North and East sides of the city said building trust in the community was paramount. He also pointed out legal issues involving what information can be released must be addressed. His group also suggested involvement by a community committee.
Lt. Jerad Sutton of Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canfield Post said his group suggested using social media “to get out the facts.” The group also said the victim’s family should be asked to have a spokesman. “Having an unrelated group involved to get feedback,” he added, could be asset.
Pastor Al Yanno of Metro Assembly Church of God said his group also suggested a community-relations response team to be involved in an incident. He said programs presented at churches on what to do when stopped by police are valuable.
James Ciotti, state Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent in charge/Northern District, said his group saw “communication, education and de-stigmatizing” as keys to addressing a community incident.
“An ongoing relationship is key,” said the Rev. Dr. Lewis Macklin of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. “We should create a network to share resources.”