Law enforcement, faith leaders continue to 'bridge the gap'

By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH

Staff Writer

Area law enforcement officers again met faith and community leaders for what was described as an “honest dialogue” as they continue to “bridge the gap” in Southeast Missouri.

Attending the recent discussion were the local Missouri State Highway Patrol captain, as well as several area chiefs of police, pastors and community leaders.

“It was an excellent meeting; in fact, it was the best meeting I’ve ever been in with law enforcement,” said Ron Webb, pastor of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church. “ … We walked away with answers to questions that we have had a long time, that no one never answered.”

A right to ask

“There’s been so many African Americans, young men, being shot,” Webb said. “I asked the captain of the highway patrol, along with the chiefs of police, ‘Is it against the law, if they’re stopped, to ask why they are being stopped.’

“They said, ‘No, they should ask that question.’”

If someone has the right to ask, Webb said, he further questioned why that question “sometimes it angers the police.”

Webb said he has spoken to people, who told him when “they ask the police, ‘Why am I being stopped?’ (The officers) say, ‘Give me your license and registration and proof of insurance … ‘I don’t have to tell you that until you give me your license.’”

One man, Webb said, reported the officer asked him whether he was “afraid” to hand over his registration, asking whether there was a warrant for his arrest.

“He said, ‘No, there is not a warrant for my arrest, but I just want to know why you are stopping me,’” Webb said. “Ninety 90% of them comply, and it’s not a problem.”

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Wes Blair, (from left) Dexter Police Chief Trevor Pulley and Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley listen as Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Phil Gregory speaks during a recent “bridge the gap” meeting in which law enforcement personnel and area pastors and community leaders discussed the working relationship between law enforcement and the communities in Southeast Missouri.Photo provided

Mock training

As part of the discussion, Webb said, he also asked law enforcement to do “mock training,” which was videotaped, to show the proper way of stopping a vehicle.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley said he had Sgt. Chuck Harris and Patrolman Zach Tubb demonstrate “our procedure on a normal traffic stop, such as expired license plate, a turn signal or speeding violation.”

Then, Whiteley said, the officers demonstrated what “you would consider a high-risk felony stop that would involve a robbery suspect or home-invasion suspect that you would have to assume was armed and/or dangerous.

“Bishop Webb and the young man that participated in the traffic stops both said they learned some things from our demonstration and why officers say what they say on these kinds of stops.”

On traffic stops, as they “say you reap what you sow,” Whiteley said. “If you approach it in a friendly, professional, courteous and safe manner for all involved, everyone should come away from a traffic stop feeling comfortable.”

If someone gets a ticket, “they are probably not as satisfied with the stop as someone who only gets a warming ticket,” Whiteley said.

Honest dialogue

According to Webb, several questions also were raised during what he described as “really, really good dialogue.”

Law enforcement, Webb said, ask citizens to report crimes, such as drug activity, but “why is it you don’t report bad cops. … They said that was a great question.

“Some of the chiefs of police responded if they fire one in one area, they are able to go get a job in another area. … There was no refuting; it was respectful, but it was honest dialogue. This is the dialogue you’ve got to have.”

Concerns, Webb said, were expressed about why it is “African American men only that are being shot and killed.”

“I want to go on the record, as I said to them, I am pro law enforcement,” Webb said. “I believe 100% in law enforcement, but I do have some reservations and questions in terms of why are African American young men being gunned down” and subject to “excessive force and police brutality and nothing’s ever done about it.

“That’s why you have the riots and the uprisings.”

The local “bridge the gap” movement, Webb explained, was “birthed out of the Ferguson riots” between area law enforcement and community leaders almost five years ago.

In discussing the events at Ferguson at that time, “I have always been of the philosophy of trying to be proactive in any situation is always better than being reactive,” Whiteley said.

When there is communication before a disruptive event in a community, family or group of people, “you feel more comfortable addressing the problem,” Whiteley said. Getting to know someone ahead of time, he said, is “much better than trying to get to know somebody after something has happened.”

In recent years, “we’ve had good communications and services,” Whiteley said. “The ongoing tragedy in Minneapolis has necessitated going back to the drawing table and starting these conversations again.

“Bishop Webb and I have had these conversations over the past 30 years and have always, always, always had productive dialogue and productive results.”

Building relationships

The discussion, Webb said, also centered around the “importance of building relationships.”

When a person feels comfortable and knows “someone that has righteous thoughts and actions in their heart … great things can be accomplished,” Whiteley said.

Personally, Whiteley said, he is looking forward to “new friendships and conversations as we move forward this year.”

The group, according to Webb, is not stopping.

“We are meeting again,” he said. “We’re going to have an open forum later” and are “planning a unity service.”

Whiteley said they had been in the process of scheduling the unity service with COVID-19 hit.

“As I said at the church that day (of the meeting), and as I have said in past bridge the gap services, I personally believe it is going to take efforts from the public, law enforcement and particularly our ministerial associations and pastors in every community,” Whiteley said. “We all need God back in our lives.”