Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 9-4-20

All About You! Feature
Task Force Suggests Ways Of Improving Police Department
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, and Dr. Bryanna Fox, USF Professor, held a press confer- ence to discuss suggestions made by the Mayor’s Commu- nity Task Force on Policing. The Task Force was created to provide a forum for important conversations between resi- dents and officials.
During the press confer- ence, the group focused on im- proving relationships between law enforcement and mem- bers of the community.
The results of the Task Force’s findings were released last Saturday.
Mayor Castor said, “This
has been a tremendous collab- orative process with the com- munity, TPD, and the University of South Florida. Not only did USF so graciously offer Dr. Bryanna Fox, and her student’s time, they pro- vided a trusted third party per- spective on ways we can move forward and implement the findings.
“I’m incredibly encouraged by this process and look for- ward to seeing this conversa- tion continue with actionable items that stress accountabil- ity and transparency. We are grateful to the participants that dedicated their time and thoughts to this important work so that we can shape the police department our com- munity wants to see here in Tampa.”
Chief Dugan said one of the things the Task Force talked about was visibility in the community. As a result, he plans to reorganize the depart- ment and place an additional 20 officers in the East Tampa area as well as in the Sulphur Springs areas. He also plans to focus on training officers bet- ter in communication skills.
“We are working with the NAACP and others to focus on the history of policing in Tampa. Some issues go back several years and people bring those experiences forward with them.
“I believe that if we provide the historical background for the officers then, they will have a better understanding and be better in how we treat people and talk to people.”
Engagement Announcement
BERNARD SNEED AND STEPHANIE SHEPPARD
Congratulations to Bernard Sneed, of Plant City, Florida and Stephanie Sheppard, of Thonotosassa, Florida, on their engagement on August 22, 2020.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 11-A