Police need to get back to their roots to improve relations with the communities they serve says Philly's top cop.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey made the remarks Tuesday in Washington D.C. at the first public meeting of the President's Task Force for 21st Century Policing.
Chair of the task force, Ramsey believes it can be done through practicing community policing and showing respect to citizens.
"We have to get back to our roots in terms of serving community, respecting community," Ramsey told NBC10. "Not new ideas, but something we have to reinforce and get back to."
Police officers, leaders of major policing organizations, activists and community members and leaders spoke before the task force during the day's earlier sessions. The testimony, at times, was heated as officials cited budget troubles and negative opinions about law enforcement as barriers to community policing initiatives.
International Association of Chiefs of Police President Richard Beary said most of the contact officers have with the public is nonconfrontational, but that is not how it's being presented to the public.
"Each year there are more than 50,000 assaults on police," he said. "The current smear campaign puts our officers' lives at jeopardy. I encourage you to look at the facts ... we are policing in an armed society."
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Ramsey said it's vital to hear different opinions to ensure the task force makes actionable recommendations.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is speaking before the task force on Tuesday afternoon. He echoed Ramsey's remarks saying respect is a two-way street that must be practiced by police and community members.
The task force will present a series of action items to President Barack Obama that can be employed by police departments to improve public trust while also reducing crime. An initial report is due to the president in March.
