Local law enforcement packed a lot into two-and-a-half hours today during the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office open house. Interest and engagement were still going stong through the lunch hour before things were scheduled to wind down at 12:30pm. [1,2]
Event promotions via social media featured images of accessible officers, excited children, and impressive vehicles. Washtenaw County Detective Mark Neumann told Saline Journal that offerings such as this had grown out a “company picnic” concept akin to what’s commonly offered by public sector employers. Extras here included an inflatable bounce house, face painting, and snacks. [3]
At center, of course, this was a unique opportunity for the community at large to take a peak behind the curtain of a key county operation. In the parking lot, a variety of vehicles were on display, open for easy access. Examples included watercraft, an armored SWAT vehicle, and the relatively new $750,000 Mobile Command Unit. Service Center tours were offered as well, with interest in the jail cells particularly high among parents and younger visitors. [4]
The larger purpose was clearly oriented toward relationships. Important tenants of nationwide moves in favor of “Community Policing” center on trust, incorporation of community values, and collaborative engagement with a variety of local stakeholders. Think Saline Police offers in kilts at our local Celtic Festival. Or the thoughtful approach behind the Sheriff’s Deputy presence at Travis Pointe for the LPGA Volvik Championships. [5,6,7]
Prior to speaking briefly with Saline Journal after completing his last “storytime” reading with yet another large group of excited children this afternoon, Sheriff Jerry Clayton took time to speak separately with a woman who’d just completed her degree in criminal justice. His heartfelt enthusiasm for the subject matter was contageous. It was also fascinating to have an arms-length view of how he balanced discussion with that woman and her husband, while warmly engaging with her son.
He then turned to the subject of Saline, again on the theme of relationship. “Chief Hart has a great department, a really solid team,” Sheriff Clayton said. “I know Saline; I like Saline.”
A lot of structure and substance was clearly packed into this Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office open house. Those who came simply for a bit of diversion and flashing lights on a sunny Saturday in August surely weren’t disappointed. Those who came looking for a much greater understanding of the tools and tactics of law enforcement in our area surely got that and more.
But a perhaps subtler, greater purpose was surely advanced as well: That of bringing another of our public safety departments and the public it serves another day closer together. In this case, that was accomplished by simply revealing what already is.
References
- Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County Michigan (home page).
- “Aug 18: Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Annual Open House” Nextdoor.\
- “Detective Bureau” Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County Michigan.
- “Metro SWAT & Crisis Negotiation Teams” Sheriff’s Office, Washtenaw County Michigan.
- “6 Essential Tenets for Effective Community Policing” Yucel Ors, National League of Cities.
- “Saline Celtic Festival Kilts Can Help Improve Relationships with Local Law Enforcement” Dell Deaton (April 26, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Local Community Has Important Opportunities To Consider Now, Following 2018 LPGA Volvik Championship, Looking To 2019” Dell Deaton (June 15, 2018) Saline Journal.
