The Oxford Police Department is looking to overcome misconceptions that have been growing around the nation by looking to build community relations.
Everyday, Officer Jeff McCutchen starts his day with the
goal to create a community driven police department.
“We never want to get into an us versus them mentality. It’s
us for them,” said Officer McCutchen.
McCutchen believes it is not only important for the Oxford
Police Department to teach and preach those words, but put those words into
action. Even when patrol officers conduct traffic stops it is all about
approaching in a community friendly manner.
McCutchen further emphasized how he wanted the people of
Oxford to know the officers as people, not just cops.
“Anytime you can engage someone, even if it is just small
talk, it lowers the anxiety and gives them the opportunity for them to view you
as a person and not just a cop,” said McCutchen.
McCutchen points out how when officers are not on duty and
not in their uniform they are seen as regular members of the community. This is
a mindset that he hopes community members always view policemen as “we are just
like you.”
One way the Oxford Police Department shows their community
driven approach is by unitizing their flex unit. During football season the
flex unit is primarily positioned on The Square Thursday through Saturday
night.
“A lot of times we have our supervisor or team leader go by
and see the business owners that are going to be open late that night and let
them know that we are on the square and if you have issues let us know and we
will deal with them,” said Officer McCutchen.
According to a recent Gallup Poll respect for law enforcement
has went up since 2015 among whites and nonwhites. The poll also shows that
over 75% of people say they have a great deal of respect for the law
enforcement in their area.
One evening Elisabeth Gaillet witnessed officers in action
after she ran to the scene of a robbery when her friend called her after
finding her apartment broken into.
“Overall they were really friendly. They wanted to make sure
she was okay and make sure that she had the things to get her money back or
whatever else was taken and to make sure that her door was fixed,” said
Gaillet.
A few days after the officers’ left they called her friend
back to make sure she was doing okay.
McCutchen also pointed out how the department can’t function
without the community support.
“We teach our guys, you’re not superman. You’re not the end
all be all. We can’t do our job without the community,” said Officer McCutchen.
McCutchen feels that if the community and the police
department do not work hand and hand then the police department is completely
ineffective.
