California Town Turns To Talking And Brainstorming To Get Rid Of Hate, Reduce Tensions With Police

The Stockton California Police Department is embarking on an unprecedented program in law enforcement. After two decades of zero-tolerance policy policing practices, and an appalling murder rate, law enforcement is now trying a new weapon in the war against crime. The process is called "Truth and Reconciliation."

It came about toward the end of President Obama's administration, driven by several studies on the topic across the globe.

The basis of the program is precisely what it states in the title: truth, and reconciliation. The California town began its change in policing policy during the rash of police-related crimes in 2016. This may seem like an odd time to be testing such a strategy; however, Police Chief Eric Jones found it to be a perfect time.

Chief Jones stood on a stage in a Stockton Church like a shark in the water in July, 2016. He faced the mostly African American congregation and began to talk. What came out of his mouth were not words of condemnation or hate. He acknowledged the race issues and mistrust that had plagued his community for so long and apologized for them, MSN News reported.

“This needs to be said,” the white police chief said addressing the congregation. “There was a time when police used to be dispatched to keep lynchings ‘civil.’ That’s a fact of our history that we need to acknowledge.” He went on to say, “Now, I didn’t do that. But the badge we wear still does carry the burden, and we need to understand at least why those issues are deep-rooted in a lot of our communities.”

This was a massive step for the Chief considering that in 2012 when he took over, Stockton's annual murder rate was higher than Chicago's that year. The city of 300,000 had 71 homicides and an overall crime rate more than twice the national average. Financial mismanagement in the city resulted in a bankruptcy and a substantial loss of its police force. Something needed to be done to fix the issues of this California town, and it certainly wasn't going to be brute force.

The Chief started organizing listening sessions where police officers and community members would gather in small groups and brainstorm, airing out their concerns and issues that are specific to their community and also the issues that are on a national scale. This certainly is not a catch-all, forever eliminating crime and restoring total trust in their police force. However they must be doing something right because as of 2018 the crime rate had dropped and the homicide clearance rate had jumped to 66 percent -- more than twice that of the national average of 30 percent.

Several cities across the nation have begun programs based on the one in Stockton. Only time will tell if this is effective, but in the meantime, it offers a peaceful solution that lets all sides be heard and held accountable.