Dyersburg Police Chief Steven L. Isbell addressed the death of George Floyd, protests and supporting law enforcement, in a the following Tuesday afternoon Facebook post:
Over the last few days, I have received many calls, emails, and text about how the community can show support for law enforcement. I have been asked if the department has any “support police” signs and if any of the protests in Dyersburg have been violent. I have also been asked why are we (police) showing up at the protests. I will address these questions at the conclusion of this letter, but I would first like to take this opportunity to share with you some things about your police department.
First, I would like to start with the tragic death of George Floyd. Over my career I have learned to follow the investigation and the facts before publicly making statements. While this investigation is still ongoing, there is no need for me to wait on all the official reports and completed investigation. George Floyd’s death was preventable, and his death is the result of outrageous and disgusting criminal conduct. The actions and lack of actions by those former officers who swore to the same oath that I did 30 years ago, stirs emotions of anger and sadness from law enforcement officers across the nation. Those criminal actions do not represent the vast majority of police officers, and it does not reflect the values and core principles of the Dyersburg Police Department.
The calls for defunding police and even the complete dismantling of police departments in many cities has generated much heated debate and divide. There are also conversations about police reform and how to improve departments. I would like to share with you how your police department has been proactive and fully transparent in all that we do serving you.
Crisis Intervention Training: Training officers on how to respond and help people in crisis. People suffering from mental health issues, and people facing crisis in their lives, more often than not have encounters with the police. We strive to help people in crisis, and not criminalize their actions by arresting and putting them into the criminal justice system. The department now has 3 certified instructors on staff to teach CIT. We have many officers already trained, and our goal is to complete training for all 60 sworn officers.
Firearms Training Simulator (FATS): 2018, the department utilized $40,000.00 out of the drug fund, with a $20,000 donation from a local industry to purchase this training tool. The simulator helps teach officers decision making in real life scenarios when faced with a combative person, or an armed person. The scenarios include utilizing verbal skills, less lethal options, and only resorting to deadly force as a last resort. The training is monitored by a certified department instructor and all members of the department are required to attend this training throughout the year.
De-escalation Training: 2017 a department instructor was sent to a school and certified to teach all personnel de-escalation tactics and techniques. The model that we teach goes along with the updated response to resistance policy, which was formally known as use of force policy. Our officers understand that a non-compliant person, or resistant person does not always require a force option to effect an arrest.
Annual Report: 2014 when I became the Chief of Police, I presented our annual report which includes a complete breakdown of arrests, traffic stops, response to resistance, and crime to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. This report is presented to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen every year during a board meeting. (The Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings are available online and open to the public. Also, you can also find complete coverage in the Dyersburg State Gazette.) Our annual reports are also posted on the City of Dyersburg Police Department website.
Internationally Accredited Police Department by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA): Your police department is internationally accredited. Reaccreditation must be achieved every four years. We received our 2nd reaccreditation award in November 2019, from the Commission. There are over 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, and less than 5% are internationally accredited. This process requires following over 460 standards which go above and beyond normal operating procedures of a police agency. All standards must be met and are monitored by CALEA. This process includes on-site assessments, and digital monitoring throughout the year of all files and standards.
The Dyersburg Police Department is also accredited by the Tennessee Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
21st Century Policing: 2015, The department adopted and is in compliance with President Obama’s 21st Century Policing.
The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing divides the recommendations into six pillars as follows:
1. Building Trust and Legitimacy
2. Policy and Oversight
3. Technology and Social Media
4. Community Policing and Crime Reduction
5. Officer Training and Education
6. Officer Safety and Wellness
Implemented Body Cameras in 2019
Community Changer: This initiative was created and developed by the Dyersburg Police Department in October 2018, to enhance our community policing efforts.
Community Changer has three core principles:
Civility: Be kind to each other
Mentoring: Be the person you needed when you were younger
Community Policing: The Dyersburg Police Department and the community WORKING TOGETHER to make positive change.
2019 was a very successful year for Community Changer. Dyersburg Police Department hosted Community Changer cookouts in various parts of the city. The food and activities were provided and paid for through donations in addition to a fund that the department created specifically for community outreach through Community Changer. The cookouts provide an excellent opportunity for us to meet our community, and for our community to get to know officers, and have the opportunity to fellowship, discuss problems, issues, and concerns in a relaxed environment.
Shop with a Cop in December was another great success of Community Changer. We were able to raise funds to provide Christmas for over 30 families. Each child was able to shop with an officer and spend $100.00 on anything the child wanted for Christmas.
We are blessed as a police department to live and work in a community that supports its law enforcement. We are also very fortunate to live in a caring and giving community.
Now to answer your questions:
We do not have signs that say, “support the police” but we do have yard signs for Community Changer. Community Changer is all about the community. The police department is a part of the community. Supporting the community with civility, mentoring, and community policing is making positive change. We need your help!
We have been present at the protests in Dyersburg, and they have been very peaceful. The organizers and participants have been very pleasant and cooperative. Our presence is to ensure public safety for the participants, who are expressing their Constitutional rights, and all members of our community.
I am truly honored to be the Chief of Police working with the finest men and women in the police profession and who are dedicating their lives to making a difference in our community. We are all blessed to live in this wonderful community we call home.
Kindest Regards,
Steven L Isbell
Chief of Police