Create a safer, more inclusive community

As we begin a new year, I want to briefly reflect and extend my sincere appreciation for the community's support of law enforcement over the past year. Homemade baked goods with cards or letters of gratitude were a daily presence in the police lobby. Some of my favorite cards were from children who drew pictures and scribbled words of thanks and their names across a card. It is a testament to the great parents, guardians, teachers and mentors in our community who instill civic pride and responsibility in our children at such a young age. These gestures are so important as our country has too often become polarized and a national discussion about policing in the United States has been laden with emotion and strong feelings. In many ways, communities have seen the bonds between their law enforcement agencies and citizenry become frayed. Rather than retreat from the challenges that we face, the Cedar Rapids Police Department has revitalized community outreach efforts. The police department has made significant efforts to reach out to diverse groups and participate in grassroots neighborhood events. We are encouraged by the sheer number of people that have demonstrated a genuine interest in making our community both inclusive and safer.

Trust is a powerful word with an even more powerful meaning. Trust is demanded by many, abused by some, but in our line of work, it is a standard that can never be taken for granted, compromised, or abused. The Cedar Rapids Police Department's relationship with the community is built upon and relies upon trust.

I have been a police officer for nearly four decades. The men and women of the CRPD are some of the finest individuals that I have had the honor of working with in my career. They subscribe to and adhere to the values of the department - Integrity, Character, and Courage. I have the unique position of witnessing these values in action every day. Certainly these are not the only values that officers epitomize, but there are only so many words that can fit on a website or challenge coin to describe an organization's values.

Police officers demonstrate great levels of compassion to the many citizens with whom they interact. I have been made aware of an officer who used his own money to fill the gas tank of a domestic violence victim so that she and her children could drive to relatives' home and have a safe place to stay. Last winter, two officers purchased a space heater for a family with a newborn baby when the heat went out in their apartment and the landlord could not be located. We have an officer who purchases boots for homeless individuals every year. And, recently, entire police shifts purchased refreshments for a Stop the Violence picnic and bought and served pies at Greene Square Meals. I wanted to share just a few examples to debunk this false narrative that has been propagated nationally that police are out of control and not in touch with their communities. The officers that I work with sincerely care and do want to make our community a better place to live, work or visit.

Are we perfect - no. We make mistakes and we are held accountable for them. Police officers are normal and real people who have families and loved ones like you. They have families who care and worry about them the second that they walk out the door for their shift. Officers experience fear, but also receive continual training to respond despite fear. They are ordinary people who are often asked to do extraordinary things. They have answered a calling and wear a uniform that represents a guardian who preserves peace and order for children, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and everyone in our community.

One of the most frequent questions that I am asked as police chief is why anyone would want to pursue a law enforcement career today. I want it to be known that being a police officer is really one of the best jobs in the world. And, we need good people to apply and be a part of our department. We need the police department to reflect the community that we serve. Besides the demographics of race and gender, our department is looking for candidates with a diversity of ideas, which is a hallmark of an organization committed to protecting and serving its citizenry. If you want to make a difference in your community, please complete an application, prepare for the testing process, and become an important part of making a difference every day.

Certainly, the Cedar Rapids Police Department has significant work ahead of us to continue to build trust and confidence in our community. We invite you to be a part of this great opportunity. And so, in response to why anyone would want to choose law enforcement as a career: 'Why not? Our community needs you.” We need applicants with a willingness to break down barriers that inhibit trust between police and the community. And, we are so fortunate to have a community that appreciates the efforts of law enforcement officers.

' Wayne Jerman is Chief of Police for Cedar Rapids. More information: www.cedar-rapids.org/police