SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill – Local law enforcement representatives recently participated in a panel discussion with Airmen to share some of their own personal experiences and address questions about accountability issues.
The panel discussion, titled “Bridges that Build Community,” was hosted April 13 by Team Scott’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging team.
Panel members spoke to numerous topics such as law enforcement training, accountability and their personal law enforcement experiences. For example, local police departments explained how conducting realistic training is critical when teaching officers, so they can understand how to take an uneasy situation and develop it into a safe encounter for both parties.
“We make a concerted effort to have these training situations where they don’t end up with an officer pulling [his or her] gun,” said Lt. David Kitley, Fairview Heights Police Department. “We work with our officers [on] communications skills to de-escalate.”
The answers provided by the law enforcement were well received by the attendees. The atmosphere of the panel was described as a professional as well as productive, and the attendees believed it was beneficial to establish a relationship with the officers.
Airman 1st Class Quinton Carson, one of the volunteers for the event, said, “I feel like the panel was very thought provoking and a necessary foundation in establishing a stronger sense of community among the demographics of the local population.”
(*This article includes 4 pictures)
