Back on track: Law enforcement
Joel Valley/Telegram file
Police Sgt. Chris Miceli, left, and Lt. Tim Simeroth whip up some burgers during Burgers with a Badge in June 2021 at the Santa Fe Plaza in downtown Temple.
Community policing strengthens bonds BY ERIC E. GARCIA TELEGRAM CITY EDITOR
Temple and Belton police departments seek to interact with community members through various meet-up events that offer free coffee, doughnuts and burgers. Temple Police Department met with community members in early June for its regular Burgers with the Badge event, held this year at the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. Temple Police Officer Cody Close, who coordinated the 2021 event, was elated with the turnout at the museum. “I thought I was only going to have 30 volunteers today, but so
many more officers showed up,” she told the Telegram. “That support from our department is incredible. But obviously, this is an event that the department puts on for the community; to let them know that we’re here to serve you in more ways than one … and who doesn’t like free food.” Close said community events such as Burgers with a Badge are a positive way for local law enforcement to build a connection with the populations they police. Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds said officers strive to improve community connections through the meet-up events. “The police are the public and the public are the police,” Rey-
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nolds said. “We welcome any opportunity to connect with the community, to build relationships, to build trust and to build good communication.” Last year, the city of Temple received a $375,000 community policing grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant funded three new positions with the eight-member Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, unit. Both departments participate in local National Night Out events usually held in August. Last year’s events were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Belton officers also work daily to build relationships.
“Approach is prevention focused with foundation based in building a partnership with the community we serve, Belton Police Chief Gene Ellis said. “Community policing is not a program with BPD, but rather an organizational philosophy. “ “We can only be successful in maintaining the great quality of life Belton enjoys by being actively engaged with the community,” Ellis said. “One of the ways BPD connects with the community is through involvement in over 100 community outreach opportunities (each year) in addition to informal contacts carried out by officers daily.” eegarcia@tdtnews.com
June 27, 2021
