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Arkansas Local Officials Train In Community-Based Policing

Arkansas Municipal League

Community-based policing is a focus at this fall’s Arkansas Municipal League conference. About 750 municipal and county officials discussed “respect and understanding” in law enforcement on Wednesday in Springdale.

Whitnee Bullerwell  is the League’s spokesperson. She said a panel of police officers and mayors shared their experiences with improving community relationships.

"Offering advice on what they've done in the past in  making certain community-based policing is a priority and all demographics are taken into account and considered," she said. 

Issues of racial discrimination and police departments' use of force have received nationwide scrutiny this year.

A discrimination suit was filed against Fort Smith’s police Department Monday. Excessive force trials against departments are underway in Dover, and Little Rock.  Central Arkansas law enforcement departments partnered to announce a public relations campaign Tuesday to improve community perceptions of police. 

The conference runs through Friday. Topics will range from a statewide highway reports, to legal changes to city signs and cell phone tower rules, to updated biking plans.

The league is also announcing a new partnership with a municipal league in Ghana to encourage international trade.

Sarah Whites-Koditschek is a former News Anchor/ Reporter for KUAR News and Arkansas Public Media.