Editor’s note:This Speakout was submitted by Fedora Sutton Butler on behalf of CLEAR Partners.
At the Nov. 11 Brookings City Council meeting, Chief of Police Michael Drake introduced three new members of the Brookings Police Department.
There was a concern when the chief introduced three white, male recruits from neighboring states, suggesting that their backgrounds illustrated the diversity Brookings was seeking. The diversity stated by the chief was not apparent from the ethnicity or gender of the recruits.
Community Law Enforcement Action Response (CLEAR) Partners listened intently to hear what experiences made these new members of the BPD satisfy the diversity requirement. Other community members were also waiting to hear more about the education and backgrounds of the recruits that would reflect their ability to interact positively with the varied Brookings community members.
We take note that Chief Michael Drake did not have prior notice that he was to introduce the three new hires, and that he did not have time to prepare his remarks. If he had had time, he told members of CLEAR Partners, there would have been greater specificity about their backgrounds.
The term diversity has undergone redefinition for many reasons. However, in the hope of having Brookings continue to be the progressive community we love, where our police continue to be community friendly, we hope the diversity term that will be used in the future is: the practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of the American people, including underserved communities.
On Nov. 17, CLEAR Partners met with the chief. Our questions included : What was the make-up of the application pool? Were there efforts made to include women and members of underserved communities? What criteria were used to determine that the three new officers values are in keeping with those of Brookings?
It was very satisfying to hear from the chief that the application pool included women and members of minority communities.
Some were offered positions, but for various reasons did not join the police force.
We learned of the review criteria in place to reduce the chances of recruiting folks who do not share the values of diversity andinclusion, which are hallmarks of the Brookings community.
His comments helped further our trust in him and the citys hiring practices.
There will be more hires in the BPD. To assist the city in ensuring the diversity of the BPD, as Chief Drake stated in his job interview and as he restated to us, we the community can help.
If you know of members of different groups who would reflect the values of Brookings and treat all members of our community with respect and dignity, please forward their names and credentials to Chief Drake for consideration. Or, alternatively, please share addresses of organizations where the city might advertise for such recruits.
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