Centerville Police restate “guardian over warrior” mantra
Jan 31, 2023, 4:00 PM | Updated: Feb 1, 2023, 8:33 am
FILE: Police cruisers are parked outside the Centerville Police Department on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
CENTERVILLE, Utah — After the death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, a concerned Centerville resident sparked a conversation with the Centerville Police Department (CPD). That citizen wanted to ensure that Centerville police are up to date with crisis control training.
“What are we doing right here in Centerville to ensure our officers have the right training, monitoring and are maintaining the right attitude toward its citizens,” the citizen asked the police department.
Tyre Nichols died in Memphis, Tennessee after he sustained fatal injuries from police who were seen on video beating him after he ran from a traffic stop. Five police officers have been indicted on murder charges related to Nichols’ death.
Across the nation, police brutality has not escaped the radar of citizens. The Centerville Police Department used its Facebook page to share how Sgt. Michael Dingman responded to the question.
He told Centerville residents that the station’s top priority is the protection of the community.
Centerville police training
“… Our role in Centerville and in policing in general … is as a Guardian instead of the Warrior,” Sgt. Dingman said in his response. “The relationships we build with the community and how they are treated by our officers is still a priority.”
Dingman said his officers go beyond their minimum 40 hours of annual training. He said the training topics include de-escalation, arrest control, and crisis intervention/mental health and autism training.
According to Dingman, CPD officers usually complete over 100 hours of annual training.
CPD reportedly provides 24/7 access to mental health services and reports that, as a department, his employees have good mental health. “This is a critical component to how our officers respond to stressful calls and how they interact with the public,” wrote Dingman.
“We truly care for those we interact with, both the victims and the suspects,” he concluded. “While we can never say never, I know the Chief will support me by saying that we have every confidence in our officers.”
Related reading
- Police investigating fatal auto-pedestrian crash in Salt Lake City
- Charges filed against man accused of setting Centerville home on fire
