Greta Samwel: LOCAL COLUMN: Experiences in community policing

Dec. 8—I'm one of approximately 300 graduates of Norman's Citizens Police Academy (CPA). Full disclosure, my oldest son was a cop — he worked for the OU Police Department for 15 years — before "retiring" to a full-time position with the Oklahoma National Guard.

He had a number of friends in the Norman department; by extension, I got to know some of them. When I had the opportunity to attend the CPA, I took advantage of it — an opportunity to learn about the challenges my son faced as a cop.

The CPA consisted of 13 weeks, each session focused on a different aspect of policing. We experienced "fun" things, such as high speed chases. We were introduced to impaired driving through the use of special goggles which distorted vision, while navigating a golf cart through a maze of orange pylons (I knocked over quite a few).

We spent an evening learning firearms safety, and were allowed to shoot several rounds on the firing range, with one-on-one supervision by qualified instructors. We had a class on substance abuse, and another on "crime scene investigations."

Two parts of the course are vivid in memory: a very sensitive presentation on rape, given by a representative of the Women's Resource Center and a Norman police officer; a detailed lecture on escalating use of force, followed by a very scary exercise in the application of force.

For the exercise, CPA participants were given different scenarios. My role was to enter a dark house, late at night. A neighbor had reported a possible intruder. I climbed some stairs and heard a noise in the corner of an upstairs room.

As I announced myself ("Police. Turn around and keep your hands where I can see them."), the person turned around while reaching into his pocket.

Instant decision: do I shoot, or not? I did not shoot; the individual was reaching for a cell phone. It was just a game — but I can tell you my anxiety was peaked.

It was also a lesson in the kind of situations cops might face every day, where use of force must be appropriate to the situation, with potentially severe consequences to actions taken.

I learned a lot during those 13 weeks. And I've learned a lot since. CPA graduates can volunteer to help NPD in a number of ways. I spend Tuesday mornings in Police Records — posting certain documents to computer records.

Another CPA grad helps out posting traffic tickets to those same records. And another helps in police dispatch — doing some administrative chores, relieving chronically understaffed Dispatch personnel that they may pay full attention to their vital duties ("911. What's your emergency?")

A number of CPA grads are regulars in training scenarios for new police recruits, acting as intruders, or as hostages (I'm type-cast as a crazy old man). Norman police host a shooting match every year, and CPA graduates help with hospitality, and grunt work such as cleanup.

CPA grads work closely with officers, helping with the annual Police Activities League (seventh graders) and Safety Town (six and seven year-olds learning bike and fire safety).

I've also helped coordinate participation in the Juvenile Intervention Program (cop/kid mentoring) and Crime Free Multi Family Housing (safety and security at apartment houses and condo complexes). Alas, these two programs have been suspended in the wake staff cuts resulting from temporarily defunding the police.

On a positive note: CPA grads help a lot at the annual chili dinner, sponsored by Norman's Public Safety community (Norman Police, Norman Fire, OU Police), and organized by Sergeant Jeff Casillas.

The last several years, this event — which benefits the Christmas Store — has been drive through only. In 2024, chili will again be served at Norman High. Mark your calendars for Jan. 25. Come— contribute a good cause; meet some of Norman's finest, and say "hi" to a bunch of CPA alums.

Another positive note: Jeff works with several organizations and churches on cultural matters. It's important that members of various communities understand one another. I recall attending a function — at Jeff's prompting — at a local Spanish language church.

I had fun — meeting people, eating some good food, and watching (not joining) some really neat dances. More recently, Jeff introduced me to "Baxter."

Baxter is a Black man and two-time felon who is trying to make a difference. Baxter recently sponsored a running event in the park — let's come together, and learn about each other.

Baxter told me his story over coffee, and I was amazed/impressed. Baxter gave me a wrist band, emblazoned with the following words: "Racism Stinks; It takes Us all!" We've stayed in touch, and will meet again.

As I was leaving the police department last Tuesday, I had a brief conversation with Sgt. Casillas. Jeff if the one person community affairs guy (there used to be three), and in charge of many of the outreach programs I've mentioned.

I asked about a next CPA class. Jeff told me it's in the planning stages. And he told me this: NPD isn't interested in a class full of folks out for fun (though there is some of that, as I've mentioned).

Rather, CPA participants should be people genuinely interested in learning more about our police. And if you're a skeptic about policing, attendance is a chance to educate yourself (you don't need to change your mind).