Creating a Safer Upstate
November 2, 2021
Watch a video of the presentation here.
Speakers
Chief Matt Hamby, City of Greer
Chief TJ Chaudoin, City of Greenwood (c:864-992-7304)
Chief Howie Thompson, City of Greenville
Community Leaders
Dr. Toney Parks, Senior Pastor at Mt. Sinai Baptist, and Chaplain to Greenville City Police
Mayor Terence Roberts, Mayor of Anderson, and Board of Directors Chair of TATT
Keishe Nelson, Credit Manager at Michelin Community Volunteer
Challenges to Hiring, Recruiting, Training
Chief Chaudoin
Recruiting
- Relying more on communities
- Focus on minorities
- It’s a competitive market
- Develop open dialogue with council persons in each zone
- Reduce turnover
- The hiring process takes six months, including:
- First application
- Panel interview
- Psychological evaluation
- Nelson Denney Test
- Polygraph
- Physical
- Conditional offer
- Academy
- PTO training program for 7-8 months
How have they been recruiting
- Minority campaigns partnered with Army, Army PAYS program, first black female applicant currently in process, veterans to top of pool
- Hiring workshops at convention center, with physical agility test
- Hosted African American men ___org) at range
- Yard signs in neighborhoods
- Find Value Be Valued campaign, hired eight with previous experience
Chief Thompson
Some of the minimum standards set by state law (an average of 6% of applications received are eligible):
- At least 21 years old
- Citizen
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- SC driver’s license
- No driver’s license suspensions
- No felonies, crimes of moral turpitude
- Good credit history
Chief Hamby
Studies show that 29% of officers leave within first year of being hired nationally. An additional 40% leave the professional within 5 years. 8-20% stay to reach retirement. According to the SC Academy, in five years, 50% of the class is no longer in law enforcement after graduation.
Creativity is required in retention. Opportunities in Greer are available to:
- Work toward being detective
- Become a school resource officer
- Work toward the K-9 Team or drone team
- Participate in cross-training,
- Receive private vendor training
- Play a role in future planning and be part of a team
Recruiting
- Greer offers a cash incentive to current officers to recruit – $500 for new hire plus $500 at end of probation period
- College kids from Citizen’s Academy, from Greenville Tech, North Greenville University, Bob Jones, Anderson, and Furman
- Develop relationships early, tour, take to lunch, ride alongs
Community Leader Q&A
Pastor Parks
What is the plan to encourage Latinx population?
Chief Chaudoin
Become actively involved in the community to build relationships for the future
Chief Thompson
Largest growing population in Greenville
Partnered with Hispanic Alliance job fairs
Aside-15% of the department is female
Chief Hamby
Focusing on all minorities and getting them to apply
Mayor Roberts
How can elected officials help with recruiting and retention?
Chief Chaudoin
Bring elected officials along into communities
Focusing on recruiting next generation of hires
Chief Hamby
Provide leads of interested parties
Chief Thompson
Invite us to speak even to events you might not think are related
Keishe Nelson
What training has been implemented to counter tragedies?
Chief Chaudoin
Outside agency oversight through national accreditation
Increase training budget
Specialize in communication and de-escalation
Chief Thompson
Review policies to ensure up to date
Repetitive training on simulators
Biased based training
Chief Hamby
Emotional intelligence training – entire staff
Crisis interventional training by NAMI
What has been learned from open dialogue in communities?
Chief Chaudoin
Everyone learns about each other; community understands force, office understands community concerns
Chief Thompson
New NET Team (neighborhood engagement team)
Goal – promote safety, prevent crime, enhance quality of life, neighborhood led
Chief Hamby
Every department relies of community support
With removing someone’s freedom comes heavy responsibility, so a high level of trust must be obtained by getting to know each other outside “business” dealings
Builds trust and understanding