Police reform center of discussions across area

MIAMI VALLEY — Across the Miami Valley, conversations were had about policing Wednesday evening.

In the Dayton area, discussions centered around police reform, the experience of black officers, and the lessons the community can learn.

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Since last summer, the City of Dayton has had several groups studying different areas for potential policing changes — things like officer training, use of force, and recruiting good officers.

Those groups recently made more than 140 recommendations, and now the focus is actually trying to take those suggestions and make them a reality. This new group, what the City of Dayton calls an implepenation committee, is charged with trying to make sure those changes suggested get put into action.

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Their first meeting was Wednesday evening.

“I have been so impressed with the thoughtful, engaging conversations that have happened at these tables,” said Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein.

Also Wednesday evening, five Black police officers spoke on a panel about their experience in their lives, their jobs, and what they would like the community to know about their line of work.

Two of the officers were from Springboro, one was from Miami Twp., one was from Middletown, and one was from Cincinnati.

The officers talked about some of the challenges they’ve faced in their work as Black officers.

“I’ve fought to get to where I’m at. I’m not going to let another officer’s decision destroy what I’ve accomplished in my time being a police officer,” said Miami Twp. police Officer Crystal Hall. “So if I see something wrong, they best bet I’m going to say something about it to the chain of command.”

“People tend to get a certain thought process in your head and that’s it, you’re not changing that. You’re not gong to be real what they think happened or what should happen,” said Springboro police Officer Antwuan Scott. “But I think if we can just talk and have a better conversation and dialogue.”

Officers talked about the need to recruit a more diverse police force, which is also a focus of the implementation group in Dayton.

“If an individual wants to make a difference in their community … if they’re a person of high moral character … if they want to be an honorable person who wants to serve their fellow man, it’s a great profession to be in,” said former Fairborn police Chief and Cedarville University professor Dr. Patrick Oliver.

Cox Media Group