Native leaders focus on options to extend residents’ belief in legislation enforcement

Flagstaff, Fla. (WTXL) – Flagstaff police and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office looked past the badge in a “Bridging the Gap” conversation Tuesday night.

“Everything we do is about relationships,” said Lawrence Revell, Flagstaff police chief.

A discussion was held with the Greater Works Network and Flagstaff Barristers to strengthen law enforcement ties in the community and share views on how to effectively hold the authorities accountable.

“When we talk about community police, we’re going one-way. Another aspect is knowing exactly what your police department is doing in your sheriff’s office,” said Leon County Sheriff McNeil.

The concept received a lot of attention in 2020 after the deaths of Tony McDade, Mychael Johnson and Wilbon Woodard.

Three lives if shot by officials justified by law.

Part of the reason Chief Revell says is, “De-escalation is so incredibly important nowadays, and our guidelines are written to not only encourage it, but also to encourage it.”

According to Chief Revell, changes like the new Citizens Advisory Committee could help identify issues within the department.

Another part of the solution is “making sure that we look like the community as we are when it comes to our ethnicity, background, race, and gender,” McNeil said.

Mayor John Dailey recommends taking the first step for police and citizens alike.

“We expect the police to be in our neighborhood, but I also think we have a responsibility to meet the great men and women who work in law enforcement and work every day to keep us safe,” Mayor Dailey said.

As they all work together to make the Big Bend area a better place to live.

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