Editorial: The importance of open communications in police relations

Two things are clear in the wake of the grand jury's decision in Ferguson, Mo., not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

First, violence, arson, vandalism and other similar types of protest are not the way to sway people's opinions. Everyone from the president to the family of Michael Brown agrees on that point. Peaceful protests are much more effective.

And, two, building a community's police force diversity that corresponds with that of the community it serves can go a long way to better relations and soothing long-held fears that minorities will suffer at the hands of a police department that doesn't look like them or understand them.

Ferguson's force is about 90 percent white while two-thirds of its citizens are black. That's a recipe for trouble.

"What happened in Ferguson is happening throughout the nation," said the Rev. Clyde H. Brooks, a Northwest suburban resident and chairman of the Illinois Commission on Diversity & Human Relations. The commission has been working with local communities on this issue, and the numbers show there is still a long way to go to achieve a balance.

While Brooks said communities need to hire more minorities, he also rightfully puts the onus on the black community in particular to encourage men and women to seek out careers in policing.

It's a sad time for race relations in this country right now. The focus is on Ferguson, but the emphasis needs to be nationwide. Here in the suburbs, we urge our community leaders to begin anew discussions with minority groups to give them an outlet for talking about any concerns they may have.

In Elgin, for example, the Rev. Lionel Sweeny, a minister at the Second Baptist Church, told the Daily Herald's Elena Ferrarin that there is an open line of communication with the police department. That's a positive. But, he said, more could be done, such as allowing religious leaders to take an active role in post-incarceration plans for people of color.

That's a good start for a new conversation.

In Palatine, officers are assigned to permanent beats, which allows for relationships to form between the police and residents. "They are immersed there instead of having them rotate through the village just answering calls as they come in," Palatine Police Chief Alan Stoeckel told the Daily Herald's Doug T. Graham.

And in Mundelein, it's clear there has been some thought to the issue as well.

"Had there been a trusting relationship (in Ferguson), then there would have been a community pause that would have allowed the police chief to make his case," Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz told reporter Russell Lissau. "And that's the lesson here. Continually earn, build and cultivate a trusting relationship between the police department and the community."

Wise words. Now it's time to act.