Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/342119
42 Law Enforcement Technology July 2014 www.officer.com LEADERSHIP accessibility. Have an officer in the area and parking lot to provide a sense of safety for attendees. Often seniors do not like to attend in the evening hours. Keep an officer outside; it is hard to explain why a car got broken into during a meet- ing. This officer can also provide a sense of security when they exit. Timing. You need to be the first to arrive. Greet and speak to as many folks as you can. Often someone has a question you can address before the meeting, or if they have a point that you want to be raised in public then encourage them to do so. Have plenty of business cards ready. Often you can cool off a hothead with some personal attention…most just want to tell you their story. Be the last to leave—don't hit the exit door until everyone else has gone. If you do have to go to another appointment, explain it. Closing con- versations will garner information and also seal up any open questions. The biggest hint here is be personable and a good listener. Watch your body language! We all know it is not what you say but how you say it. Never, ever smile when speaking about death or even grin when people are speaking about their victimization. The slightest grimace or sneer will set off all of the good you came there to do. Do not look at your watch, cellphone or exhibit uninterested behaviors. Show interest and energy in all of your actions. While we are on language, do not use police jargon or signals unless it is meant to explain a point. Keep the language contemporary to the audience. Closing. Express your gratitude for their attendance. Give them the praise that they deserve. In some countries citizens do not associate with the police and are afraid to be with them. Here we are grateful for their input as customers. Finally, if you say you are going to do something, do it. If you do not keep your promise to make a referral or check into a case and you don't do it, you will regret it. The next time that you attend this meeting you will be portrayed as someone who does not keep their word. But if you do, they will defend you for taking up their issues. It's all about trust. This is not an end-all list by any means. You cannot necessarily develop this skill by reading about it, sometimes it's like learning to swim—you just have to get into the water. Good luck and keep your edge sharp. ■ William L. "Bill" Harvey is a native Virginian. He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute of the University of Louisville and served for over 23 years with the Savannah (Ga.) Police Department. He served as the chief of police of the Lebanon City (Pa.) Police Department for over seven years and is chief of police at the Ephrata (Pa.) Police Department. New design and mobile capabilities … as responsive as you are The NEW Coming Soon! LET_40-42_CommunityMeetings0714.indd 42 6/25/14 12:03 PM