A group of outside assessors who evaluated the city police department in late January has released its findings, which include a substantial amount of praise for the direction in which the agency is headed.
“Citizens tend to describe an ethical and honest department that appears to be improving since the ‘new chief’ assumed command,” the report from the Kentucky Regional Community Police Institute (KRCPI) reads. “Agency employees were extremely confident that the new chief would insist on a well-run, ethical department and they believe ‘things were getting better.’”
The group, which released a near 90-page document this month, assessed the RPD via interviews, access to files and documents and citizen, civic and community reports.
Larry Brock, who at the time of the assessment had been chief for seven months, was singled out by the nine-person committee in its report.
“He (Brock) grew up in Richmond and is thought by most of the people interviewed as a ‘local boy,’ which appears to give him credibility,” the report said. “Brock appears to be well-liked and respected within the community by the large majority of individuals external to the agency who were interviewed.”
The report goes on to say that several elected officials interviewed said Brock was “articulate,” “a scholar,” “educated” and “experienced.”
Community members told the team Brock was “a caring type of person.”
“He wants police to be friendly, because he’s friendly,” one community member is reported to have said.
Other feedback concerning Brock stated persons interviewed noted a change in the professionalism of the police department since Brock’s hiring.
“He is a man of integrity who will not be bullied by the political system,” the report reads.
Other than the chief, the most recognizable member of the force to those randomly interview were Maj. Mitch Brown and Sgt. Willard Reardon, who was described as an “everyman” who “does a good job.”
One problem that some in the community spoke of was the lack of recognition of many officers on the force.
“I know their faces, not their names,” one community member said.
Another resident in the minority community said they did not know who patrols their neighborhood anymore and that the officers are “not friendly.”
“One minority community member remarked that years ago, officers used to walk in the minority neighborhoods and people knew them personally,” the report reads. “He bemoaned the fact that this activity was not currently happening.”
Besides being present in the community, other comments included ideas about current trends in officer integrity.
“They believe morale of the ‘good officers’ has improved with arrival of Brock,” the report reads. “They also expressed that some of the poorer performers ‘have already left.’”
While most who were interviewed thought they had an “ethical” police department, the report also said it would take time to heal past wounds of what they thought was poor performance.
“Bad things get stuck in people’s minds,” one community member said in reference to a well-publicized (but not specified) incident in a minority neighborhood.
One officer of the department states that “in the past” some police officers “were close to corrupt,” according to the report.
Agency employees appeared “confident” that “most” officers maintain good ethical standards, despite a small number of officers “who think and act like these are the old days,” the report said.
Recommendations by KRCPI include establishment of specific beats for officers to hold on a regular basis and more public networking.
“The agency could create a neighborhood assignment for agency personnel,” the group recommended. “Explore ways to divide the city into small geographic areas that consider neighborhood boundaries.”
“Establish a citizen’s tip line or information line,” was another recommendation. “This strategy will greatly enhance the agency’s opportunities to gather information from outside sources.”
“We suggest modifying the Web site so that all citizens can easily obtain information about crime in their neighborhoods,” the group said. “Crime mapping, where citizens can see their street, types of crimes and location of crimes would be very helpful.”
Brock, who recently received the report, said he is enthusiastic about encompassing the ideas.
“We are in the process of establishing a focus group consisting of police officers and members of the community to review the report and make suggestions and recommendations on how we can implement some of the ideas provided to us by RCPI,” Brock said. “This is the first step in having joint ventures with the community to improve our relationship and communication. We are very excited about this prospect and hope the community shares our enthusiasm.”
Heather Harris can be reached at hharris@richmondregister.com or by phone at 624-6694 or 893-2341.
Local News
Report reflects positive changes
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Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. -
Volunteers needed for equine therapy
The Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be hosting two, one-day volunteer training workshops for those interested in helping others with special needs.
The volunteer orientation days will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but only one day of training is required, according to Mark Martin who co-owns Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center (AFTEC) with his wife Cheryl.
The all-volunteer organization, which is based in Jackson County, uses horses to help humans deal with physical and emotional challenges. -
Man accused of holding samurai sword to girlfriend’s throat
A Madison grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of threatening to cut his girlfriend’s head off, and attacking her father with a samurai sword.
Russell M. Masters, 42, of Richmond, is charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a Class D felony, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence with minor injury) and resisting arrest, which both are Class A misdemeanors. Masters could receive one to five years in prison on each wanton endangerment charge, and the misdemeanors both carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. -
Arrest made in connection with stolen jewelry, computer
Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with property stolen from two homes last fall.
A woman reported to police Monday that she had discovered several items that were missing from her home on South Killarney Drive and her grandmother’s home on Raintree Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. The items were a set of gold hoop earrings, a white Sony Vaio laptop, a yellow gold heart pendant, a gold tennis bracelet and a ladies’ wedding band with a diamond setting.
The complainant said the belongings had gone missing sometime between August and October. -
US 25 business owners scared of five-lane plan
Voices of Berea business owners upset about upcoming construction on US 25 will be taken to the state level, according to city administrator Randy Stone.
Several people operating businesses along a section of US 25 gave comments Tuesday to the Berea City Council, asking them reconsider plans to widen the road to five lanes.
The design is a five-lane highway with a center turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side. -
Grand jury to hear copper theft case
The attorney for a man accused of stealing copper from a handful of electric poles questioned his identification as the same person who took copper from 32 poles two days earlier.
Public defender Meena Mohanty questioned Richmond police officer Nicholas Duvall during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court. Her client, Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 23 copper theft. He is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglary tools and failure to notify address change to the Department of Transportation. These charges are all misdemeanors that, at most, carry a sentence of one year in prison. -
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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