Chief Mitchell stated, “I want everyone to know, I believe our agency needs to reach out to professionally and equally serve each segment of our community.” Canton Community Officer Pacer Cordry said “It’s important to listen to the needs of the community and proactively respond to their issues and concerns. The Police Department will do what it thinks is best for the community, but until you really listen to the community and what they have to say, you are only doing half the job you should be doing.”
On Thursday, March 5, 2015, Chief Mark Mitchell and his Command Staff met with several local African American and Hispanic ministers in an effort to inform them about our agency, discuss the department’s community goals, coordinate our first quarterly town hall meeting, and listen to the valuable input they provided about how the agency may better serve the needs of their communities. Chief Mitchell stated “The meeting was positive, created important dialogue and, in our opinion, went very well. Recent events around the country have caused serious tension between law enforcement and their minority communities. With that said, one of the major goals of our agency is to build partnerships, communication, and trust in our City. I think it is important for this agency to connect with the African American, Hispanic, and other citizen groups in an effort to strengthen our relationships. This will pay important dividends for these communities and our agency in the future and allow us to effectively address criminal activity and public concerns.”
Pastor Charles D. Morgan from Zion Baptist Church commented “I much appreciate the Canton Police Department reaching out to the Community and its Churches to share their goals and objectives for building a better and more positive relationship within the Community. This first meeting was very informative and the dialogue was open and forthright. I look forward to working with the CPD towards reaching their community objectives.”
Former City Councilwoman, Pat Tanner, stated “This first meeting with the Canton Police Department was the first step of many towards the CPD and the community building a more positive and successful relationship. The opportunity to meet, share ideas, and be straightforward in our dialogue was beneficial and enlightening. To have our Police Department take positive, rather than reactive, steps within the community speaks highly of the CPD. I am very optimistic about these two entities establishing an effective, meaningful, and worthwhile relationship. LAO TZU said “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”; our journey has begun and I look forward to the end.”
Pastor Lemora Dobbs stated "I applaud Canton Police Chief Mark Mitchell and the vision for community enrichment he brings to Canton. Chief Mitchell demonstrates strong leadership by taking a proactive stance in creating partnerships between the CPD, Canton residents and organizations so we can all work together to build a stronger, more inclusive community."
Chief Mitchell closed by stating, “This is not the only segment of our citizenry that we are going to be reaching out to this year. Other segments of our community in Canton are just as important, and we are going to work diligently through town hall meetings and other events to engage, connect, and communicate with them as well.”
Future meetings will be announced using social media and the local media outlets.
 |
| Front Row: Pat Tanner, Pastor Lemora Dobbs and Pastor Lydia Ayala Back Row: Asst. Chief Stephen Merrifield, Deacon John Heard, Chief Mark Mitchell, Pastor Charles Morgan and Lt. German Rivas |
