Demopolis Police Chief visits White House to hear task force recommendations

Chief Tommie Reese of the Demopolis Police Department was invited to the White House to participate in a briefing about 21st Century policing on Wednesday, June 30.

In December 2015, President Obama organized a Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Five months later, on May 15, the task force issued its final report.

“Most of the recommendations contained in the task force’s report are directed at the approximately 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies spread throughout the country,” said Ron Davis, Task Force executive director.

The recommendations are organized around six main topic areas or pillars: Building Trust and Legitimacy, Policy and Oversight, Technology and Social Media, Community Policing and Crime Reduction, Officer Training and Education, and Officer Safety and Wellness.

Chief Reese joined police executives from across the United States to hear task force recommendations for helping to keep police officers and neighborhoods safe.

The Demopolis Police Department has made great strides in Police-Community Relations Building since Reese became the Chief of Police in 2009. Under his leadership, programs such as the Citizens Police Academy, Youth Leadership Academy, Police Reserve Program and the Police Explorer Program and numerous partnerships all geared towards a community involvement have been created.

Reese also serves as the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police President.

Reese said he was honored to be invited to The White House and to be a part of this grand opportunity.

“Law Enforcement has been under attack over the last couple of years just for doing the right things or for just wearing the uniform,” said Reese.

“Our officers nationwide are faced with life and death situations that they must make split second decisions upon that could either save their lives or someone else life or get them killed if they fail to act. Law Enforcement Officers are also asked to wear many different hats in the run of their shifts and be all things to everyone without offending and still be politically correct but we have to always remember these officers have to go home at the end of their shifts safely.”