Video: Developing Good Work Relationships with Law Enforcement

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- Having a good relationship with law enforcement officers is something residents in Starkville and Oktibbeha County take pride in.

“You don’t hear the bickering back and forth between law enforcement and the police here in Oktibbeha County, the Sheriff’s Department, Highway Patrol, they all work as a cohesive unit which is really good for the community,” said Starkville resident Danny Carlisle.  “It shows a community relationship, and it bonds the community straight together.”

Carlisle said he’s coached many of the officers that currently serves and protects the area, and he say’s he greatly appreciates everything they do.

“If you call them, they will come,” he said.  “It’s not like, well I can’t make it, if you call them they will come, whether they show up in plain clothes or uniforms, if you call them, they’re there.”

And just to show their appreciation for the officers, community members had a fish fry to feed both the Starkville Police Department and the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department.

“We just felt like we need to show these guys appreciation because they put their lives on the line for us everyday,” said Carlisle.

“It’s very important that members of the community see us in an everyday manner and not just when we’re called,” said Corporal Brandon Lovelady, Public Information Officer for the Starkville Police Department.

Lovelady  knows the importance of community police, which is why he said the SPD makes it their mission to get to know all of the residents in the community.

“In the past we had the walk and talk initiative, Chief Nichols walk and talk initiative, where officers everyday will get out and speak with members of the community,” Lovelady said.

Residents called it a ‘great feeling’ to have both the community and law enforcement all on one accord, and they plan to keep this momentum going. Events such as a fish fry, and Night Out on Crime are both good ways to keep the community and law enforcement actively engaged with each other.

“We are one team, we need each other, we have to work together,” said Lovelady.