Local police remain vigilant in wake of national uproar

By ROGER STOUFF
As protests unfold and law enforcement officers are targeted across the United States, local police are ready.
Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire said the city is “blessed by the leaders we have in the City of Franklin.”
McGuire said officers undergo constant training dealing with community policing as well as tactical.
“Before this happened we were vigilant,” the chief said. “We continue to be vigil. We’ve had body cams and dash cameras in effect way before this. A lot of things that people didn’t have, we had in place for 10 years.”
Officers with Franklin Police are out in the community more. “We’ve started community policing again, where we go door-to-door,” McGuire said. “Officers are assigned zones, they go out into the community and see what we can do to make their community better, if there are any problems, speeding, loud music, drug activity or a vacant house that needs to be reported.”
When a zone is finished, officers switch up zones “so people get to know the officers. The outpouring from the community has been extremely supportive of police.”
Body cams and dash cams help the community as well as officers. An officer is disciplined if a body cam isn’t turned on, McGuire said.
“We have had a couple people who, when they call for an officer, don’t quite understand why we need to know why they need an officer,” McGuire said. “We would like the public to tell us why, so the officer knows.”
McGuire said people often stop and hug local officers, and asking what they can do to help make police work easier. She said no indications of trouble have been evident.
“The mayor and council are there when we need them,” McGuire added. “I try to go out, the community knows me, they know my door’s open, and if you have a problem with one of my officers, call me and I’ll address it. If they’re right I back them out 100 percent, if they’re wrong I handle it.”
There is a protocol in place already, the chief said. There are active-shooter instructors at the police station, she said, and officers practice things like crowd control. They also practice with adjoining agencies. “We’re all on the same page,” McGuire said.
Sheriff Mark Hebert said, “We have stepped up patrols and increased security in the jail facility, not only for the protection of law enforcement but to ensure the safety of the citizens.”
Hebert also said the Sheriff’s Office has not heard any rumblings in the community. “There’s not an area where we can’t call around St. Mary and speak to someone,” he said. “We’re real confident with our relationships in the community. We have an open-door policy here, we’ve always had it.”
The sheriff said they are monitoring the national situation. “Our demeanor with the public is to protect and serve,” he said. “We’re not changing the way we conduct ourselves on a daily basis and that’s what we’re supposed to do and will continue to do.”
Hebert said if any community member has concerns with interactions with police, he welcomes a dialogue.
Baldwin Police Chief Harry Smith Jr. said his department is carrying on as usual, and he plans to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies.