St. Cloud Sun

During a community event Aug. 21, local law enforcement spoke to community leaders and members, aiming to gain trust with the public by addressing community policing, profiling, racial bias and the use of force. 

St. Cloud NAACP's Patty Wetterling moderated the event and said it was part of a "long-term vision to have better collaboration," SC Times reported. 

"We’re very proud not only of our police department but our community and the support that we receive," St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson said during the event, SC Times reported. 

Anderson and other panelist addressed how the police department collaborates with programs in the area, including Central Minnesota Mental Health Clinic, the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force and CentraCare.

"It's been really neat to see, really gratifying to see, how this area comes together," Waite Park Police Chief Dave Bentrud said during the event, SC Times reported. 

Not only did police address what policing means in the area, but told the community they "strive to hold officers accountable," SC Times reported. Anderson said leadership is what holds them accountable. 

"It's also making sure that there's clear and very understandable standards that are not just lip-service," Anderson said during the event, SC Times reported. 

Anderson said he has rules for his officers to follow, with the most important being to never take away a person's dignity regardless of their crime. 

Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott said accountability started with respect. 

"As long as we can continue to interact with residents and visitors in a variety of ways, I think that helps build that community relationship and will also keep the officers accountable because they understand that in the end, they've got to come back to me," Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes said at the event, SC Times reported.