Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 4030 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: MARCH 2016 experience in working mass demonstrations and main- taining peace among large groups of volatile protestors, particularly during the many protests that occurred after the Governor ordered the Confederate flag removed from all state buildings. Co- lumbia is the state’s capital. “During the protests over the Confederate flag issue, it got really tense,” Holbrook explained. “The Ku Klux Klan and the New Black Panthers held dueling rallies to voice their opposing views, along with others on hand representing every viewpoint in between. “It was a trying time for the Columbia Police Dept. the Richland County Sher- iff’s Dept., and the South Carolina State Police. But together we were able to keep things calm.” Holbrook also noted that the balance officers must maintain between warrior and guardian was on full dis- play during the protests. Police officers were present to act as guardians safeguard- ing the constitutional rights of the demonstrators. But when dealing with vio- lent individuals who threat- ened the people’s safety, police officers were ready to employ warrior-like skills to protect anyone in harm’s way. The chief admits concerns existed following the tragic murders in Charleston that protests might turn violent. “People were upset – emo- tions were palpable,” Hol- brook continued. “And we had agitators from all sides trying to start trouble. But we had one thing going for us which was the key to ev- erything remaining calm – a very close relationship with the community.” The Columbia Police De- partment, as well as other Midlands law enforcement agencies, have had a long and proud history of meaningful community engagement. It was those relationships, built up over many years with citizens, politicians, churches, community groups, activists and others, that the chief cred- its with keeping things calm during challenging times, in contrast to the violence that erupted in places like Balti- more and Ferguson. “The Department works with over 100 community neighborhood organizations,” Holbrook said. “Additionally, the Department’s Beyond the Badge Program requires new officers just out of the academy to serve one week at a local children’s hospi- tal, homeless shelter, soup kitchen and our food bank before they hit the street. “It’s a valuable experience providing officers with oppor- tunities to get to know people through non-enforcement interactions that they may well encounter during future enforcement activities. “And believe it or not, almost everyone who has done this work has loved the experience.” Blueprint for Change When the President’s Task Force 21st Century Polic- ing issued their final report with a comprehensive list of changes agencies can make to rebuild relation- ships with the community, improve training and create officer wellness programs, the Columbia PD embraced the recommendations with enthusiasm. “The recommendations outlined by the Task Force provide an opportunity, and serve as a blueprint, for agencies to be proactive in making positive police re- forms before a controversial enforcement incident oc- curs,” Holbrook noted. “We found that we had already begun making some of the recommended reforms, but some we were not and some things we knew we could do better.” Holbrook also thought it would be helpful to for- malize and put structure to his department’s efforts to implement the President’s Task Force recommenda- tions. He said it was essential to provide city officials and community members with a gauge of where the police department currently stood in regard to the various pro- posals contained in the Task Force Report, and begin a collaborative assessment of recommendations to be addressed going forward. To accomplish this goal Chief Holbrook and his staff put together the “City of Columbia’s Implementation Plan – Moving from Recom- mendations to Action.” Internally, the police de- partment maintains a chart tracking the status of im- plementation of each rec- ommendation and actions taken. The recommendations and policies being adopted by the Columbia P.D. are extensive. First off, there is a renewed push for greater transparency and account- ability. Public command staff meetings now take place at community facilities throughout Columbia on a bi-monthly basis so people They are giving it their all – Continued from page one Continued on next page Guardians when we need to be, warriors when we must The Columbia P.D., as well as other Midlands law enforcement agencies, have a long and proud history of meaningful community engagement. It was those relationships the chief cred- its with keeping things calm during challenging times. Above, veteran officers out in the community. At right, working a shift at a local homeless shelter.