The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is working to improve communication between residents and the police force. As part of that effort, over the next few months, the ACCPD will hold Community Forums throughout the Classic City.
The goal of the forums is to allow members of the community to voice their concerns, opinions and expectations as well as to allow for newly appointed Police Chief Cleveland Spruill to share his plans for the department.
“I think it’s very important that I get out in the community and have opportunities to share my vision and also, more importantly, to listen to the community about the ideas, thoughts and concerns and expectations of the police department are,” according to Chief Spruill.
Spruill says this type of community outreach effort is essential for law enforcement.
“I don’t think that anything can be more important that getting to know and understand the community that we serve. We’re public servants and we can’t serve the community unless we know what the community’s expectations of the department are. So I want to engage in that dialogue and have those opportunities.”
The first Community Forum is scheduled for Monday, March 4th, from 6 to 7 pm at the East Athens Community Center at 400 McKinley Drive. The ACCPD will provide updates on the dates and times of future forums over the next few weeks.
They will be added on the department’s website at www.accgov.com/meetthechief.
