Hamden community leaders and their local police force met on Thursday to discuss ways they can strengthen their relationships and avoid any violent emotional escalations.
On Thursday, approximately 55 locals met with Darryck Dean, a conciliation specialist with the Department of Justice. The goal is to form an SPCP (Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships) council to identify tensions and issues between law enforcement and the local community. After identifying those issues, the council will aim to resolve them before they escalate.
Among those in attendance were Mayor Curt Leng, police chief John Sullivan, several local officers, as well as residents representing a variety of community groups.
Dean shared that Topeka, Kansas and Erie, Missouri, are two communities where successful SPCP councils have been formed and are working effectively.
Thursday’s meeting consisted mostly of introductions and details about the upcoming meetings. No substantial conversation on issues, policies or solutions occurred. Those discussions will take place at the future meetings, the first of which is currently scheduled for October 15. Subsequent meetings will be in November, with back-to-back events on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21.
Following these meetings, two members from each group will be appointed to a council which will meet periodically throughout the next 12-18 months to ensure peace in Hamden.
“So the key part of the SPCP process is the SPCP Council— because again, they will not only participate in the day so they will get context behind what some of the issues raised are. but they’ll also be working with (Sullivan) solving mayerling others and community to now implement the concerns that influence solutions.” Dean said.
Dean hopes that the council will be able to make the process of running this program easier. But many people who were watching this, had concerns about how the council would handle matters and act on their own accord, even when working with residents.
“The concerns raised by the council are made up of two representatives from each of the life groups. Again, that could be Youth Business, law enforcement, government, they will commit to me on a regular basis. They will act as an advisor for police Community Relations issues. They will create action plans for solutions created during the SPC program.” Dean said.
Additional Information provided by Marianna Rappa