Robert Spinks

Robert Spinks started his career in 1981 with the Eugene Police Department in Oregon and later served at the Port of Seattle Police Department in Washington. He has been the chief of police in Sedro-Woolley, Washington; Milton-Freewater, Oregon; Sequim, Washington; and McNeese State University. He is currently the chief in Parsons, Kansas. He is a fellow of the Future Policing Institute. He has instructed college courses for over 30 years and is currently at Labette Community College. Community policing information can be downloaded at www.parsonspdks.gov.

Executive leadership in social media and press relations

October 30, 2021

Law enforcement agencies across the nation face increased media scrutiny, community turmoil, reduced funding and many demands during this new era of policing. It’s no surprise that many government organizations […] Read More

Enforcing little laws prevents big crimes

September 13, 2021

Crime prevention, deterrence and displacement sound like great theories in a college class. How can patrol officers and deputies turn those theories into something useful? When you talk crime prevention, […] Read More

School resource officer programs

Path to arrests or reform?

August 18, 2021

Prior to the 1950s, the concept of a school resource officer (SRO) was not widely heard of. Most educational interactions between schools and local law enforcement were done on an […] Read More

You are the police department

August 1, 2021

Across the nation, law enforcement officers are being challenged. Use of force is a national hot button, along with perceptions of systemic racism and civil protest. Local, state and federal […] Read More

Community-oriented policing: still relevant?

June 15, 2021

Community policing is not dead. Community-oriented policing and problem solving (COPPS) can be alive and well, but needs a reboot to be successful in today’s environment. It requires a commitment […] Read More