In February, I shared in The Legacy Among Us about my volunteer work (we are all volunteers in the local organization) with our local NAACP branch. I also referred to our branch in my June Celebrations post about our involvement in local Juneteenth celebrations. One of the things I'm especially proud to be part of is our ongoing relationship with local law enforcement — the Murrieta Police Department (MPD) in this case.
Long before I was part of our NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), former Branch President Darryl Smith had the foresight to reach out to former Murrieta Police Chief Sean Hadden in a time of national racial tension. That was nine years ago, and our branch and the MPD have maintained a mutually supportive relationship since that time. Even with a change in the branch president position and a new police chief after the former retired, the two organizations have kept steady and respectful communications a priority.
In the days following George Floyd's death at the hands of police officers, our Branch President Pastor Willie J. Oliver and former Murrieta Police Chief Hadden coordinated a prayer vigil in front of the Murrieta Police Department. When Chief Hadden retired several months later, Pastor Oliver presented him with a plaque honoring his partnership with the branch. Pastor Oliver had the following to say about him:
“Chief Hadden has been very instrumental in changing the climate and culture of our communities. As the Chief of Police, he always wanted to be in front of issues and change, instead of being reactive. His relationship with NAACP Branch 1034 has always been one of respect, honesty and accountability. He will be missed, but we also have equal confidence in his successor chief Tony Conrad.”
In the near-decade of partnership, the MPD has provided space for the NAACP to host town hall meetings, Black History Month events and community forums. Since becoming the new Chief of Police, Tony Conrad has maintained the intentional and respectful partnership with our branch that we all appreciate.
Last week, I was pleased to attend another meeting where four of us branch members sat down with Chief Conrad in his office to ask questions and receive updates from the department. Treasurer and Legal Redress Chairperson Mary Venerable led our group, as President Pastor Oliver was unable to attend. At 88 years old, she is the Matriarch of our group — having been with the branch since its inception in 1977 — and someone I greatly admire. My colleagues Myles Ross, Legal Redress Committee member and Ric Stallworth, Community Advisor, were also present. Although I didn't initiate the friendship between the two organizations, I have been tasked, as the Communications Chairperson, with keeping communications open between our branch and Chief Conrad and also scheduling our regular meetings.
This work holds great meaning for me. In a nation where there is so much mistrust and division, it fills my soul to foster communication between two groups of people who are often not seen as friends: law enforcement and the Black Community.
My heart has always been for diplomacy and understanding, thinking back to pursuing my degree in International Studies and German at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Listening to others and helping them to hear and understand each other has a treasured place in my life. So I'm thankful that when I joined our local branch, the officers saw where to place me in service.
Last Thursday's meeting encompassed an hour and a half of our asking questions regarding the fentanyl epidemic, gang activity, racial bullying in schools and police department use of force. Although the topics are heavy, the meeting was conversational, and Chief Conrad provided numerous updates and published resources from his department to answer our questions on behalf of the BIPOC Community. We also discussed the mutual desire to attract more People of Color to the police force.
We are fortunate to live in an area that doesn't have the widespread racial strife that some others experience, but that is partly due to leaders being on top of issues that arise — our branch and the MPD being two groups who have worked together to bring conflicts and concerns to a positive conclusion. I like the way Chief Conrad frames his department’s view of community policing:
“Our mission statement starts out with ‘In partnership with our community’. To me that means transparency, trust, honesty and the ability to communicate with the people we serve. I want our department’s goals and values to reflect those of our community. Our success as a police department over the years is primarily linked to the relationship we have always had with our community.”
When different groups within a community know and trust each other and see each other as partners, it creates a strength and stability for the community — even when national and local events could cause suspicion and division to rise to the surface. I'm not saying that groups’ and individual’s concerns aren't important in a time of tension, but I recognize that there can be a way to foster healing, and it starts with genuine outreach and willingness to dialogue — as former Branch President Darryl Smith did so many years ago.
As I wrote in a news article that I published in February of 2021:
“Because these two organizations have built an intentional relationship with each other, Murrieta can be a model for valuing local partnerships that build community in the most instructive and positive ways.”
We might feel helpless in the face of all that is going on in the world and our nation, but intentional bridge building in our own communities can be a healing force. And I am thankful that many of us around the globe are being that change we want to see in our communities.
In Service Together,
Jen
You continue to amaze me, Jennifer. You ARE a peace maker. Like you, I’m not a confrontational person. However, I’m not a fan of imbalance ... we must have balance ... I believe Murrieta is striving to do this. I’m proud to live here. I pray everyday for fairness and freedom for ALL, just concerned with the manner in which our country is proceeding .. It seems extreme.