By LANA CLIFTON
Around 20 citizens from the Bryant area began classes to learn more about the city’s police department on Tuesday night, Sept. 22. The Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) began at the Bryant Police Department and was conducted by Sergeant Jenceson Payte.
Chief of Police, Tony Coffman, spoke to the group in attendance about the reasons he promotes the CPA program.[more]
“It’s important to educate the public about what we do,” said Coffman. He added that often citizens have a misconception of what police work is all about. “That stuff on TV can’t happen,” he explained.
“This is your police department,” said Coffman. “One thing I stress is customer service. The best way to provide that is to know what you want.”
He explained his wish was for the CPA to result in a better relationship and understanding between police officers and the citizens they serve.
“By the end of this class you’re going to have a real good idea of what we do,” predicted Coffman.
He said the result of that knowledge would produce a greater ability to work together.
“What we can accomplish together is unlimited,” said Coffman.
Coffman encouraged citizens to contact him with problems and concerns so he could either help solve them or put them in touch with the right agency that could.
The guest speaker of the evening was District Judge Curtis Rickard. Payte introduced Rickard as “one of the most terrific, level-minded judges I have known.”
Rickard covered changes to the court system as outlined in Amendment 80, which became effective in July of 2001. He explained the amendment did away with city courts systems in which judges were appointed by the mayor to a new system in which judges are elected and can be voted out of office if the constituents do not think they are doing their job. He said he agreed with the new system, reasoning that it led to more accountability.
“An elected judge picked by people is better than one appointed by the mayor,” said Rickard. “If a judge is not worth keeping, they get elected out.”
Rickard also explained his jurisdiction and discussed briefly the appeals process and court structure in Arkansas.
After a break, Payte led the class on a tour of the police facilities including offices, meeting rooms, workout room and 911 call center.
For the second half of the class, Payte spoke about the history of the Bryant Police Department emphasizing the dramatic growth in the city population, number of officers and number of calls that has occurred in the city over the last decade. In 1999, Bryant’s population was 9,764 and approximately 12 full-time officers handled 3,857 calls for service (CFS). In 2008, the Bryant population was estimated at close to 17,000. That year, 32 fulltime officers plus six reserve officers responded to 9,071 CFS. So far in 2009, the officers in Bryant have already responded to over 6,000 CFS.
Payte also went over the different roles officers filled within the department and explained the requirements and procedures necessary for someone to become a police officer in Arkansas.
The CPA will meet again on Tuesday, Sept. 29. On that evening, the group will learn about laws regarding use of force.
The CPA is a yearly event sponsored and conducted by the Bryant Police Department. Citizens interested in attending next year’s CPA should leave a message for Sgt. Payte through the police department by calling 501-847-0211.
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