On July 22, 2016, the City of Canton hosted a unity meeting and invited members of the local clergy, Police Chief Mark Mitchell, and Mayor Gene Hobgood. Due to recent national events, the focus of the meeting was to discuss continued efforts to build trusting relationships between the Police Department and the citizens it serves. Participants noted that the relationship between the Police Department and the community is very good, but there will always be opportunities to improve communication, feedback, and follow-up in order to further strengthen the trust that is being cultivated between the community and its officers.
As a result of the meeting, plans have been made for the future production of educational literature and a video that shows citizens what to expect during a routine traffic stop. The goal of this effort will be the ability to show the process, procedure, role, and responsibility of both the officer and citizen during a traffic stop encounter.
Meetings such as this that improve relationships between the City of Canton, the local Police Department and the community provide valuable insights and feedback for all parties, while building a foundation of trust and success for the future.
 |
From left to right: Pastor Tyrone Gates, Pastor Gregory
Hughes, City Manager Billy Peppers, Mayor Gene Hobgood, Bishop Bobby
Montgomery, Ms. Pat Tanner, Rev. Lemora Dobbs, Chief Mark Mitchell
|
 |
| From left to right: Mayor Gene Hobgood, Pastor Gregory Hughes, Ms. Pat Tanner, Bishop Bobby Montgomery, Rev. Lemora Dobbs, Chief Mark Mitchell, Pastor Tyrone Gates, City Manager Billy Peppers. |
