The Buffalo Grove Police Department has completed a pledge started by an international law enforcement-related organization that is aimed at bettering community relations, according to a village news release announcing the action.
In the July 25 news release, officials explained that Buffalo Grove became the first police department in the state — and one of a handful nationwide — to complete the “Trust Building Campaign Pledge” that is part of the Trust Building Campaign initiative started by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
According to the release, the pledge is intended “to enhance trust and collaboration between police and the Buffalo Grove community.” The village department is one of only six police agencies in the country to complete the pledge.
“This milestone is a testament to the incredible work that the men and women of BGPD perform each and every day,” police Chief Brian Budds stated in the release. “Public trust is paramount to our mission, and we will continue to build and strengthen relationships within our community.”
The release explained that in order to complete the Trust Building Campaign Pledge, the police department implemented 25 policies and primary practices in six focus areas: bias-free policing, use of force, leadership and culture recruitment, hiring and retention, victim services and community relations.
As part of the efforts, the police department established policies and trainings, conducted assessments and developed strategies around those focus areas, the release states, in order to “encourage positive community-police partnerships that promote safe, effective interactions, create strategies to prevent and reduce crime and improve … quality of life for all.”
Budds explained that with the police department being a longtime member of the IACP and an associated accrediting organization, some of the policies and practices were already in place. Budds took over the department from former Chief Steven Casstevens, who had also been an IACP leader.
“I am proud our department upholds industry best practices that prioritize safety and community building here in Buffalo Grove,” Budds stated in the release.
Officials said in the release that when trust-building is at the forefront, members of the community as well as the police benefit.
“Building and rebuilding trust in the community and around the world is critical and must remain a primary objective,” officials stated in the release.