June 8, 2020
Open Letter to the Pullman Community
The tragedy in Minneapolis has impacted all of us. I issued a news release on May 29, 2020 with my statement about that event.
Words are not enough. Condemnation of unacceptable conduct by law enforcement officers is not enough. Law enforcement leaders must take a stand and take action.
Some have asked what we are doing to ensure this type of tragedy does not happen in Pullman. Others have asked what policies and protocols we have in place to make sure that our officers are treating everyone with respect and dignity. I am writing this letter to let you, the Pullman community, know that I am committed to hiring practices that reflect our department’s values. I will continue to hire officers who are predisposed to protect and preserve life in a manner that recognizes and respects the dignity of all persons. I will work to ensure that officers continue to receive the training necessary to assist them in carrying out their duties in this manner. I am reiterating to our officers the importance of our commitment, if at all possible, to use no force in order to further our mission of “Policing Our Community with Compassion and Professionalism.” If force is necessary, it must be used reasonably.
As the Chief of Police for the Pullman Police Department, I am proud to hold our staff to the highest standards of professional law enforcement. I have worked with our command staff and supervisors to create a culture that values problem solving with a community policing philosophy.
Providing this information is not an attempt to say we have done everything that we need to do; it is to say that we are giving our best effort. I truly believe that we are doing the right things, hiring the right people, and moving in the right direction. I also recognize that this is a journey, not a destination. There is always more that can be done, and always room for improvements to be made.
You should know that the Pullman PD staff is comprised of dedicated and professional individuals who care about providing the highest quality policing to our community, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They make daily sacrifices to achieve that goal. They do so willingly and with a sense of pride. For any failings at the Pullman Police Department, I hold myself accountable as its Chief of Police.
In an accompanying document, I describe for you some of the ways we make Pullman PD an exceptional law enforcement agency. We are committed to making continuous improvements by identifying and employing best practices and evidence-based programs that lead the profession in order to provide the service that our community deserves.
My door is always open to discuss safety issues. Thank you for reading this letter and I hope you will review the policies, protocols, and training in place in the accompanying document. Do let me know if you have suggestions for improvement.
Sincerely,
Gary Jenkins
Chief of Police