An Interview With Chief Payne of the Grand Rapids, MI Police Department

Abstract

Chief Payne, of the Grand Rapids, MI Police Department, is interviewed about his position and experiences as an officer, an officer of color, and a chief of police. He discusses the people who influenced his desire and ability to become a police officer. He also discusses the challenges of being a police officer, particularly in society today. He provides important details about how policing is unique in his community and his plans and current initiatives for how to improve policing in the future. Specifically, he describes and discusses the implementation of community policing initiatives and his views about how to better connect police officers with their community members. He discusses several programs designed to make police officers more accessible to the community. Chief Payne also provides insight about his efforts to recruit and retain police officers and how to increase diversity in new recruits. Finally, Chief Payne provides recommendations for researchers about how to approach law enforcement about implementing new initiatives as well as some of the roadblocks they may face.