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Bryant police chief wants to improve public relations |
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
Tony Coffman has been the Bryant police chief only since January, but already he is taking strides to improve communications between the department and the citizens the officers are sworn to protect and serve.
“My goal is to best serve the citizens of Bryant,” Coffman said. “This police department is not ours, and I want [the department] to serve [citizens] the best that we can to our abilities.”
Coffman has served 15 years with the department. He was named the interim chief in September 2007 after Mayor Larry Mitchell said Frank Gonzales would no longer serve as chief. Mitchell announced in a January City Council meeting that he was naming Coffman chief.
Coffman, along with several police officers and alderman, last week held a meet and greet at James Mulligan’s residence at 3404 Forest Drive.
“I met with Mr. Mulligan at the Bryant Senior Activity Center and we talked about meeting with the public,” Coffman said. “Mr. Mulligan then said we could start a meeting with the public at his home and we got everything arranged and came out. I am hoping that this will kick-start more meet-and-greets in the future.”
Coffman said he understands that it will take steps to “build a bridge” but that he and the department will work continuously to appease residents.
“We are taking this seriously,” Coffman said. “I want to keep the public informed on what is going on with the police department and I also want them to address their problems to us, no matter how small they think their problem is. I want to reach out and get to know everyone that I can and I want my officers to do the same.”
Coffman said any resident who wants to meet him should call 847-0211 or go by the department at 312 Roya Lane. He also said the department will soon hold a citizens’ academy to provide information to the public on the responsibilities and operations of the department.
“I don’t have an exact date set yet, but it will be sometime this summer,” Coffman said. “My plan is to hold two [citizens’ academies] a year, beginning next year.”
Another way that Coffman has instilled new communication links with the department is through technology. In June, the City Council approved the purchase of computer software for the department that Coffman said will help keep officers in the field.
“When they are out in the field they can start writing their reports in real time. ... It is just like they are sitting at their desk,” Coffman said.
“An officer can basically take his or her office with them. Instead of leaving the scene and coming back to the office to write the report, they can stay in the area and send the report through a computer system. I think those things alone would help response time to those areas tremendously. This will also help save our department on the cost of fuel, too.”
Coffman said he is working on a new pay scale for officers.
“I want to get their salary base up,” Coffman said. “I think this will show appreciation and will also help bring in well qualified officers to the department.”
Coffman has asked the council to approve the hiring of nine new officers.
Aldermen said they have been impressed with Coffman’s efforts.
“You know they say that first impressions are lasting impressions,” Alderman Robby Young said.
“I met with the acting chief to discuss plans for the city and I was very impressed with the man. He seems to really have a good heart for the city, he has some good ideas to raise morale around the police department and protect the image. When I asked a question, I got an actual answer. He didn’t have to go and ask someone else; he knows his police business. I really felt confident in talking with him and I would like everyone to support the man.”
Coffman said he is thankful for the opportunity to serve as chief and wants to fulfill his obligations to the city.
“My goal is to keep going forward and best serve the people of Bryant,” Coffman said. “My vision is to build trust between the people and the police. If the citizens and the department are working hand-in-hand then I don’t see why we can’t accomplish that.”
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