Orrville PD takes broad approach to connecting with community
Sgt. Jaime McGreal, left, and K-9 officer Mike Smith of the Orrville Police Department posed for a photo for an annual calendar to support pet adoption.
The Orrville Police Department is always there on the scene whenever there is a community emergency.
Behind the scenes and day to day, though, there is a lot more happening in the department to foster community relations, build life-saving skills, educate and connect with area children, and create an environment of trust, appreciation and connection.
“Since I started at Orrville PD over 30 years ago, there has always been an emphasis on the importance of building relationships and partnerships between our department and the community,” OPD Chief Matt Birkbeck said. “This approach is based on the belief that by working closely with community members and organizations, we can better understand the needs and concerns of the community and can more effectively address factors that lead to crime and disorder.”
Birkbeck said the core of this approach is a concept called problem-solving policing. In practice the broad scope of this approach encompasses providing a variety of community services that are not traditionally considered part of policing.
“This approach can help to build trust and confidence among community members,” Birkbeck said. “It can also help to reduce crime and disorder by addressing the root causes of these issues, rather than simply responding to incidents as they occur.”
Shop with a Cop is a well-known area program that brings officers and local kids together for a day of fun and shopping prior to the holidays. The police department works with Orrville Elementary School staff and children’s services to select children who would benefit from the opportunity. Each year approximately 20-25 children have the opportunity to participate.
Though not officially a program, police officers are often able to hand out cash to citizens at the holidays. There are individuals who anonymously donate to enable the department to spread a little extra holiday cheer.
Last year four officers from Orrville Police Department walked and biked in the Special Olympics Torch Run, carrying the Special Olympics Flame of Hope through the community and raising over $1,600 in donations for Special Olympics Ohio.
The department is involved in numerous other community activities including handing out treats at Halloween, Touch a Truck events, handing out stickers at the library and the annual summer Rib Fest. Officers also are involved in activities for both kids and adults during the annual Community Day.
Having a bicycle patrol unit is another way the department provides needed services while fostering community connections. “Bike units offer a number of benefits over traditional patrol methods including increased mobility, accessibility and visibility,” Birkbeck said, adding advantages include navigating in traffic congestion, crowded areas and narrow streets. They are often used during community events such as Fourth of July celebrations.
Bikes also are useful in areas inaccessible to cruisers such as Orr Park, where officers can cover a lot more ground on a bicycle than on foot. They provide high visibility to the public and can offer more opportunities for one-to-one interactions.
“Officers on bikes are able to interact with the community in a more personal and direct way,” Birkbeck said. “They are able to stop and talk to people, gather information, and build relationships with residents in a way that is not possible in a patrol car. This can be especially helpful in building trust and improving community relations.”
The department is continuing to grow its connections with area youth in the city schools. The position of school resource officer was added in the early 2000s. Since that time the department has expanded to include five resource officers. Currently, there are typically two of the officers covering the three schools each day. This year the hope is to have one officer assigned to each school nearly every day.
The school resource officers have a variety of roles in the schools beyond the safety of students, teachers and staff. These officers do everything from teaching classes on topics like substance-abuse prevention, cyber bullying and conflict resolution to providing a liaison between the schools and law enforcement.
Their visible presence in the school can deter potential perpetrators. They’re trained to identify potential threats and to intervene before they escalate. These officers have the opportunity to develop relationships with students, providing guidance and support. The school resource officers are able to provide resources and referrals when a student is struggling with mental health issues or other challenges.
There also is a program allowing the officer to refer a student to a youth engagement specialist who can reach out to the family to offer support and services.
When out in the community, officers are always prepared to offer referral and assistance information regarding issues such as domestic violence or crisis intervention. Birkbeck said, “WHIRE is a great resource that officers are familiar with as a source to connect people to services.”
The Orrville Police Department partners with area fire departments and children’s services and has a strong relationship with the Wooster Police Department through their joint tactical team. Medway also is an important community partner.
Members of the Orrville Police Department also are involved in the community in many ways outside of their professional duties. There are officers involved in Exchange Club, Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club, Lion’s Club, United Way, OHUDDLE, Heartland Education Steering Committee, Turning Point Coalition, and other nonprofit and civic organizations.
The chief said the best and safest way to register a concern or complaint a citizen may have about a contact with an officer is to wait until after the incident and contact a supervisor.
“When stopped by an officer, be polite and follow their instructions,” he said. “Arguing at the time of contact with an officer generally doesn’t result in a good outcome. It is also worth noting that supporting the police doesn’t have to mean supporting every action or policy of the police department. Instead, it could be a way of showing that they respect and acknowledge the sacrifices and hard work of the officers while also encouraging the department to address any issues and improve its practices.”
Interested in working with the department? Though no job is yet posted, the department hopes to add two officers in the coming year. An announcement will be forthcoming.
Birkbeck said the job is both rewarding and challenging. “We look for people who want to become police officers because they are drawn to the job and they want to make a difference in Orrville,” he said.
At the end of the day, it’s all about keeping everyone safe. “No two days on the job are the same for our police officers,” Birkbeck said. “They may be called upon to respond to a wide range of emergencies and situations.”
What’s the best way to show appreciation for these local first responders? “A simple thank-you note, email or phone call can go a long way in showing support for police officers,” Birkbeck said. “Citizens can also express their appreciation through social media or by writing letters to local newspapers. Such gestures can help lift the morale of officers and let them know that their hard work and dedication is appreciated.”