Grand Rapids officials held a meet and greet for residents with all four candidates vying for the role of the city’s next chief of police.
Among them was Deputy Chief with the Detroit Police Department, Mark Bliss, explaining what he’d bring to the job.
“More community engagement, more transparency, and just being more open and being able to explain what’s going on with your police department.”
A sentiment shared by GRPD’s Interim and Deputy Police Chief and candidate Joseph Trigg when asked about the rising number of officer-involved shootings.
“Even a situation where it turns out that the officer-involved shooting was justified, we’re still looking at it as far as is there something we could’ve done better, because at the end of the day, nobody wants to take a life.”
Retired Austin, Texas, Police Commander Eve Stephens says she is ready to address the needs and concerns of the community.
“How do I build on the strengths that are already here? Build on the strengths of the people, build on the strengths of the community, to make it even better than when I found it.”
And Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Captain Rafael Diaz says transparency of police procedure is key.
“I see why the community is concerned, right? Because the community cares, and when they see things, they want to have their questions answered, and that’s a good thing.”
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