Local police react to increased national tensions over police brutality

Recent police shootings, talks about police brutality, and more protests continue to upset the nation. This week put another two black men on the list of those shot and killed by police: Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, OK; and Keith Scott who was shot and killed in Charlotte, NC. Protests in Charlotte turned violent injuring more than 80 people and 16 officers.

This brings up many questions, but as I talked with Idaho Falls Police Chief McBride, I asked him how this affects his department.

“I think seeing the attitude of some people in the nation effects officers — effects them maybe emotionally, effects us personally. We’re trying to respect people rights while keeping people safe in our communities. So, it does effect us, but we still are very vigilant to make sure we’re doing our job right,” McBride explained.

People being killed and police officers getting injured has undoubtedly increased tensions on many sides in the country. Though the recent trend has not crossed over into Idaho Falls, Chief McBride thinks community policing is a big key to keeping relations positive during this stressful time.

“I think the more there’s an interaction with any person or groups of people, there’s more trust that’s built. You know, these other agencies — they probably do these same things. But how many people do you reach? You know, what’s the number of your population? So if you have a Coffee with a Cop and ten people show up — our population of 58,000 versus their’s of 800,000, or whatever it is, its gonna take longer to build those relationships,” McBride said.

Police brutality has been highlighted for years, and even more so in the past few months. Idaho Falls may not be as populated as the bigger cities affected by these shootings, but the police department is still affected by national strife. Despite that, officers in Idaho Falls are proud to be a part of a community that has showered them with so much support.

“It’s very exciting to work in a community like this, because we, especially over the last few months, have had so much show of support from our community that it just makes you feel good because you just see the bad. And then when these people come forward it’s like getting a hug. It makes you feel better, it makes you feel good about what you’re doing and that you are appreciated,” McBride chuckled.

Police and public relationships seem to be doing okay in Idaho Falls, but there is still the bigger problem of trying to save relations and lives in other parts of this country. How that will pan out is unfortunately still a mystery.

However, the right track is the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office is on the right track.. Sheriff Lorin Nielson has already been meeting with black leaders in the community and is working toward finding a healthy, positive solution to this epidemic.