Letter to the editor: Police present program to AAUW

To the editor,

As a member of the Washington Branch of the American Association of University Women, we were privileged in October to co-host a public meeting with the Washington Public Library Staff. This meeting took place at the library and we an opportunity for the public to meet our new police chief, Jim Lester. Not only did Chief Lester speak at the meeting but nine other officers and two staff members introduced themselves and told about their law enforcement background. The officers have a total of 150 years in police work and respond to 4,000 calls for service each year.

It was a very informative meeting and one all in attendance left feeling very fortunate to know we have such fine and professional officers as part of our local police force. Each officer was dressed in his uniform and shared information about his area of personal expertise. Each was well prepared and encouraged questions as part of their portion of a powerppoint presentation.

The officers shared that current trends in law enforcement involve technology, drugs, domestic abuse and mental health crises. With regard to technology, parents were encouraged to always see what the children were doing online or on their phones, as predators are there. Meth is taking over for marijuana in the drug scene, as well as the concern over teen vaping.

With regard to domestic abuse cases, they work closely with the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and officers are being continually and specifically receiving training in how to best help those with mental health issues.

The meeting closed with Dex, specially trained police dog, making an appearance with his handler, Officer Seth Adams. Dex is in training in narcotics tracking and handler protection and lives with the Adams family 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you to Chief Jim Lester and all the members of the City of Washington Police Department for the excellent program and for their professional and committed service to the citizen of Washington.

Marde McConnell, AAUW member

Washington