by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
From left to right:
- Mark Mathies, Edwardsville Police Department, Edwardsville, KS
- Josh Kyle, Riley County Police Department, Manhattan, KS
- Brian Peete, Montpelier Police Department, Montpelier, VT
Link to replay of the live video feed of the public forum with the three finalists for the Riley County Police Department Director:
Each of the candidates introduced themselves, and then followed with each candidate presenting a 15-minute answer to same question given to each.
The first to make their presentation was finalist, Mark Mathies from Edwardsville, KS Police Department.
Mathies' main point was 'The Importance of You' and the origin of community policing, and followed with connecting to present day policing by building trust and legitimacy between the department and the community.
Mathies also spoke of 'The Unforgettable YOU,' focusing on the core values of the organization including equity, inclusion and diversity.
Second to present was Josh Kyle from the Riley County Police Department.
Kyle says hiring high quality personnel and pay them well, and focus on continued positive face-to-face interactions.
Kyle says rebuilding community partnerships is important to the continued success of the department and build the trust of the younger generations who have grown up without that early positive connection to police officers at a young age.
The final presentation to the forum was by finalist, Brian Peete from Montpelier VT Police Department.
Peete says the department cannot take care of others if the department isn't taking care of itself, and can be successful with servant based leadership, and by modeling personal and professional conduct.
Peete pledges to the continue the great work of the predecessors at the Riley County Police Department in the reduction of crime and taking the department to the next level.
Following the presentations, the candidates were asked questions from community members which were presented by moderators, to assist with keeping the forum running within the time constraints.
The Riley County Law Enforcement Agency (Law Board) intends to select and announce the next director of the Riley County Police Department by December 1, 2022.