Commentary: Lessons from Ferguson inform our police work too

For weeks now, the media have been talking about Ferguson, Mo., and all the rioting, looting and burning of businesses there.

The scenes remind me of when I was an officer working in Los Angeles County during the 1992 Rodney King riots. I can still remember the eerie feeling of being in the middle of such a lawless environment, with buildings burning everywhere and rocks and bottles, even bullets, whizzing by my head. It felt like a war zone, with a complete disregard for the law or any sense of civility by those involved in the destruction.

That experience left with me a lasting impression of how quickly and easily a community can turn to anarchy and violence.

I am now the chief of police in Newport Beach. Although mass rioting, looting and burning of buildings is not the greatest concern I have for our community, my experience has taught me to understand how valuable that relationship between the community and law enforcement is to our success. It can be a very delicate and fragile bond that, if not constantly nurtured, can lead to distrust.

Maintaining a strong bond with the community comes from a mutual respect and understanding, trust and accountability. It comes from police officers being a part of the community and community members taking the time to understand the issues facing law enforcement.

The employees of the Newport Beach Police Department strive daily to nurture the relationship we have with the residents, businesses and visitors to our great city. It is a priority of mine.

Through the help of the marketing group Newport Beach and Company, we have even sent all our employees through ambassador training. Additionally, our officers are trained on how to handle the mentally ill, how to relate to and understand various cultures, how to deflect negative comments and how to treat all people with dignity and respect.

We offer a Citizens Police Academy and a Teen Academy to community members who are interested in learning about the behind-the-scenes details of the department and why we do the things we do. I am encouraged by the many positive letters and emails I receive regularly from our community members about the good work our police employees do, sometimes under trying circumstances. Even a recent letter from a murder suspect arrested by our department gave praise to the arresting officers, detectives and custody officers for the respectful way he was treated.

Although one of our goals is to create raving fans of all people with whom we come in contact, the fact remains that we are all human and sometimes make mistakes. Though we have extremely high standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism at the Police Department, we are not perfect. Having a system of oversight and accountability in our profession is of the utmost importance.

In Newport Beach, a designated Professional Standards Unit is charged with rigorously but fairly investigating any and all allegations of misconduct committed by our police employees. A small few have been disciplined or released from employment for falling below the standard expected of our employees by our community. Such discipline is necessary to ensure the trust and faith of those we serve.

Community policing is a term that has often been used, but it is nothing new. It is simply the community and police working together, with a mutual trust and respect, to keep our community safe. It is a relationship that must be developed and cultivated over years, though it can crumble quickly if neglected.

I know the men and women of the Newport Beach Police Department work very hard every day to earn this community’s respect and confidence. I am proud of the work they do, but as your police chief I will always push to improve our relationship with the public.

When I was sworn in in July of 2010, I made a pledge to this community to be accessible, responsive, accountable and transparent. The Newport Beach Police Department still stands by that pledge and is thankful for the community support we enjoy.

JAY JOHNSON is the Newport Beach chief of police.