The History and Development of the Anne Arundel County Police-Community Relations Council
Compiled by: Joseph J. Hock
Anne Arundel County Police
Revised: January 28, 1975
Before one can trace the development and growth of the Anne Arundel County Community Relations Council, it is necessary to understand what is meant by Community Relations and why it is so vitally important to develop a sound and lasting program.
Fulfillment of the police mission to maintain law and order requires the attainment of two objectives; crime prevention and crime repression (or the detection and apprehension of lawbreakers.) While leading police administrators have long known that crime prevention is a primary objective, the use of Police-Community Relations programs as a major tool in attaining this objective has generally been nonexistent or rudimentary except the more progressive departments. Apathy and noninvolvement on the part of the general public have contributed greatly to this situation.
The widespread social dissension that has erupted into virtual civil war in many of cities and campuses during the past summers makes it painfully obvious that this indifference can and must no longer be tolerated. Today, our citizens of every race are finding that it is their stores that are being looted and burned; it is their colleges and high schools which are being fired upon and vandalized; and it is they, and their sons and daughter, who suffer directly when law and order collapse and anarchy reigns.
The police officer, who believes "social work" is beneath him, who thinks Police-Community Relations programs are merely "publicity stunts", is living in a fool's paradise. More importantly, he isn't getting the job done.
"We of the police are inextricably involved in the complex, fast-moving social changes of the time and many of our traditional methods of operation must be modified accordingly. The unprecedented police problems of today and tomorrow will not be solved by ignoring them, nor by an unwillingness to take the initiative in securing understanding and support from all of the citizens of the community."¹
It has been repeatedly stated that a community gets the kind of law enforcement it deserves - that every citizen's responsibilities are respect for the law and support of law enforcement. These truths are fundamental, but that doesn't absolve us from supplying the initiative and definitive action to insure that they remain true.
It seems apparent, especially in the wake of the recent disorders in our nation's universities, that tear gas and bullets are not the answer to our internal problems. The problem lies in the inability to effectively communicate. It is not intended to absolve the students from the lawlessness which erupted and directly led to the deaths of six young students and millions of dollars damage to our institutions of higher learning. The purpose now seems to hinge on what should be done to prevent further disorder and chaos. This is then the key to the creation of the Community Relations program. Police departments across the nation should be committed to the idea of the police officer as a community leader, an important part of and not apart from the community he serves.
In the early part of 1965, the Anne Arundel County Police realized that the need existed in the County for an active Community Relations program, and the groundwork was initiated. At that time, many officers felt that Police-Community Relations meant racial and civil rights problems, police -minority group relationship, handling demonstration and civil disturbances, and allaying alleged charges of police brutality. Police and racial tensions are not the same thing as Police-Community Relations. Community Relations, was we are aware today, consists of three rather basic concepts; public relations, community service and community participation. When Anne Arundel County established and conducted its first Community Relations Council Meeting, only the concept of public relations was stressed.
On October 14, 1965 a meeting was conducted at the Anne Arundel County Police Headquarters in Millersville between leaders of the Greater Glen Burnie Chamber of Commerce and Chief of Police, Elmer F. Hagner, Jr. As a result of this meeting, plans were formulated to begin a Community Relations Council in the "near future". Lieutenant Maxwell V. Frye was appointed as chairman for a steering committee to lay the groundwork for the council. In the following month, a local ordinance was introduced and subsequently passed, which established the Anne Arundel County Community Relations Council as a voluntary, independent and self-constituted advisory body without legal sanction. It neither constituted nor represented itself as an official or unofficial arm of the police department or any other civic body or entity. Its sole interest was the promotion of better, closer and more harmonious relations between the police and the community in the interest of the welfare of both.
On the authority of the Chief of Police, the Greater Chamber of Commerce of Glen Burnie sent letters to our sixty community and industrial leaders advising them of the goals and purpose of the newly formed council and welcoming their participation. Letters were also sent to all county improvement associations, church groups, fraternal organization and political and civic groups throughout the county requesting their support and participation.
On the evening of Monday, November 29, 1965, a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Police-Community Relations Council was conducted at Central Police Headquarters. The membership was addressed by Dr. Jacob H. Cunningham, Executive Director of the National Conference of Christian and Jews and presided over by Mr. Freddie L. Brinkley², Project Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee.
The Police-Community Relations Steering Committee met twice again and at its third meeting, held on the evening of January 10, 1966, formulated an agenda which would be utilized at all the future meetings. It was decided that the format would include a guest speaker and informative speeches by the various police department heads. The initial meeting was tentatively scheduled for March. It was decided that Mr. Brinkley would address the group on the objectives of the Community Relations Council and preside over the meeting. After a brief intermission, the Chief of Police would act as moderator for a question and answer period directed at panel members, composed of police personnel. Members of this original panel were: Captain Ashley Vick (Commander of Patrol Division); Lieutenant Edward A. Praley (Commander of Detectives); Lieutenant Lloyd Smith (Commander of Juvenile Bureau); and Lieutenant Leslie Bates (Commander of the Traffic Division).
The objectives as stated in the original by-laws submitted by the Steering Committee, consisted of the following:
All three area councils became much more active in 1969 and the first part of 1970. Meetings are held monthly in each of the stations with an average attendance of approximately 125. The councils have been instrumental in brining about closer harmony among the citizens and the police and have succeeded in making citizens aware of the role they play in crime prevention.
It is easy to rest on our laurels and state that we have made a significant step forward in the area of Community Relations. Unfortunately, we have done just that; taken a step forward. We have taken a step when we should have been taking leaps and bounds. Granted, it is a step in the right direction, but there is so much more that we must do.
Anne Arundel County, once a rural farm-type area, has and is experiencing a population and industrial explosion unparalleled in the county's history. Sociological factors to an increasingly apparent degree are creating grave problems for law enforcement. Prior to the riots which erupted in Baltimore City in the summer of 1968, the citizens of Anne Arundel County were virtually unexposed to serious dangers or crime waves. The county was rural and comparatively "safe". For the whole year of 1967 there were only three murders, nine rapes, and only sixty-four serious assault cases in the whole county. When compared with our two populous neighbors, Baltimore City and Baltimore County, these figures are too small as to warrant increased police protection. There were few, if any cries of police brutality, or racial injustices. There were only very minor problems in our area schools and arson was a tool unscrupulous or "hard-luck" business men used to collect insurance payments on an unprofitable business venture. In the past few years, the county has had to buy large quantities of tear gas, gas masks, shotguns and other riot oriented equipment. Our K-9 Corps has expanded in size and all personnel have received induction in human relations and should the human relations fail, crowd control. There have been demonstrations and threats of bombs emanating from previously peaceful communities and schools. Marijuana and hard drugs have appeared in our senior and junior high school. There have been scattered incidents where crosses have been burned in predominately Negro neighborhoods and one of our officers was critically injured when a bomb blast rocked the business area of Glen Burnie.
There is an immediate need for a greater understanding to be fostered between law enforcement and the various racial, religious, cultural and ethnic groups; however, the executive branch of government-law enforcement - must maintain order in the midst of inflammatory situation which must be contained and controlled.
"One of the most fundamental elements in any police course in human relations is civil rights. This statement is applicable to police dealings with any and every citizen. It is imperative for all police officers to appreciate the civil rights acknowledged to the public by law."⁴
Leaders with the police department are aware of their responsibility to the community and are continuing efforts to make Police-Community Relations more meaningful to all segments of our population. Chief Ashley Vick, the new chief of the Anne Arundel County Police has shown the wisdom and foresight to continue and promote this vital program. The Federal Government had (April 1, 1970) approved a program which provided funds for purchasing, manning, and equipping a Winnebago mobile van which would be utilized almost exclusively in the Community Relations Field. This vehicle will travel through the county, but especially in the ghetto and underprivileged area to insure that all citizens are aware of the existence of the Community Relations Council and its goals.
In summation, the Anne Arundel County Police and the Community Relations Councils reject the premise that a police department is only as good as the community wants it to be. We subscribe rather to the principle that the community will respond to public education, sparked by the police, as to how good law enforcement can be. A police department is adequate only when it is favorably viewed as our police by all segments of the community it serves.
¹ Mr. Quinn Tamm, Executive Director International Association of Chiefs of Police (Interview conducted in March 1968, prior to implementation of A.A. Co. Community Relations Board Meeting).
² Mr. Fred Brinkley is past president of the Glen Burnie Jaycees.
³ By-laws of original document as prepared by the Steering Committee on January 10, 1966.
⁴
Fulfillment of the police mission to maintain law and order requires the attainment of two objectives; crime prevention and crime repression (or the detection and apprehension of lawbreakers.) While leading police administrators have long known that crime prevention is a primary objective, the use of Police-Community Relations programs as a major tool in attaining this objective has generally been nonexistent or rudimentary except the more progressive departments. Apathy and noninvolvement on the part of the general public have contributed greatly to this situation.
The widespread social dissension that has erupted into virtual civil war in many of cities and campuses during the past summers makes it painfully obvious that this indifference can and must no longer be tolerated. Today, our citizens of every race are finding that it is their stores that are being looted and burned; it is their colleges and high schools which are being fired upon and vandalized; and it is they, and their sons and daughter, who suffer directly when law and order collapse and anarchy reigns.
The police officer, who believes "social work" is beneath him, who thinks Police-Community Relations programs are merely "publicity stunts", is living in a fool's paradise. More importantly, he isn't getting the job done.
"We of the police are inextricably involved in the complex, fast-moving social changes of the time and many of our traditional methods of operation must be modified accordingly. The unprecedented police problems of today and tomorrow will not be solved by ignoring them, nor by an unwillingness to take the initiative in securing understanding and support from all of the citizens of the community."¹
It has been repeatedly stated that a community gets the kind of law enforcement it deserves - that every citizen's responsibilities are respect for the law and support of law enforcement. These truths are fundamental, but that doesn't absolve us from supplying the initiative and definitive action to insure that they remain true.
It seems apparent, especially in the wake of the recent disorders in our nation's universities, that tear gas and bullets are not the answer to our internal problems. The problem lies in the inability to effectively communicate. It is not intended to absolve the students from the lawlessness which erupted and directly led to the deaths of six young students and millions of dollars damage to our institutions of higher learning. The purpose now seems to hinge on what should be done to prevent further disorder and chaos. This is then the key to the creation of the Community Relations program. Police departments across the nation should be committed to the idea of the police officer as a community leader, an important part of and not apart from the community he serves.
In the early part of 1965, the Anne Arundel County Police realized that the need existed in the County for an active Community Relations program, and the groundwork was initiated. At that time, many officers felt that Police-Community Relations meant racial and civil rights problems, police -minority group relationship, handling demonstration and civil disturbances, and allaying alleged charges of police brutality. Police and racial tensions are not the same thing as Police-Community Relations. Community Relations, was we are aware today, consists of three rather basic concepts; public relations, community service and community participation. When Anne Arundel County established and conducted its first Community Relations Council Meeting, only the concept of public relations was stressed.
On October 14, 1965 a meeting was conducted at the Anne Arundel County Police Headquarters in Millersville between leaders of the Greater Glen Burnie Chamber of Commerce and Chief of Police, Elmer F. Hagner, Jr. As a result of this meeting, plans were formulated to begin a Community Relations Council in the "near future". Lieutenant Maxwell V. Frye was appointed as chairman for a steering committee to lay the groundwork for the council. In the following month, a local ordinance was introduced and subsequently passed, which established the Anne Arundel County Community Relations Council as a voluntary, independent and self-constituted advisory body without legal sanction. It neither constituted nor represented itself as an official or unofficial arm of the police department or any other civic body or entity. Its sole interest was the promotion of better, closer and more harmonious relations between the police and the community in the interest of the welfare of both.
On the authority of the Chief of Police, the Greater Chamber of Commerce of Glen Burnie sent letters to our sixty community and industrial leaders advising them of the goals and purpose of the newly formed council and welcoming their participation. Letters were also sent to all county improvement associations, church groups, fraternal organization and political and civic groups throughout the county requesting their support and participation.
On the evening of Monday, November 29, 1965, a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Police-Community Relations Council was conducted at Central Police Headquarters. The membership was addressed by Dr. Jacob H. Cunningham, Executive Director of the National Conference of Christian and Jews and presided over by Mr. Freddie L. Brinkley², Project Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee.
The Police-Community Relations Steering Committee met twice again and at its third meeting, held on the evening of January 10, 1966, formulated an agenda which would be utilized at all the future meetings. It was decided that the format would include a guest speaker and informative speeches by the various police department heads. The initial meeting was tentatively scheduled for March. It was decided that Mr. Brinkley would address the group on the objectives of the Community Relations Council and preside over the meeting. After a brief intermission, the Chief of Police would act as moderator for a question and answer period directed at panel members, composed of police personnel. Members of this original panel were: Captain Ashley Vick (Commander of Patrol Division); Lieutenant Edward A. Praley (Commander of Detectives); Lieutenant Lloyd Smith (Commander of Juvenile Bureau); and Lieutenant Leslie Bates (Commander of the Traffic Division).
The objectives as stated in the original by-laws submitted by the Steering Committee, consisted of the following:
- "To acquaint individual citizens with their responsibility on the maintenance and preservation of law and order through the implementation of various programs.
- To acquaint the general public with the professionalization and operation of police activities.
- To secure greater public cooperation with the police department through better understanding and communication.
- To consult with district commanders on problems of law enforcement within the district and render suggestions for improving police service.
- To report to police knowledge of potential and actual law violators.
- To assist police in the education of all citizens in how to reduce opportunities for crime to occur."³
All three area councils became much more active in 1969 and the first part of 1970. Meetings are held monthly in each of the stations with an average attendance of approximately 125. The councils have been instrumental in brining about closer harmony among the citizens and the police and have succeeded in making citizens aware of the role they play in crime prevention.
It is easy to rest on our laurels and state that we have made a significant step forward in the area of Community Relations. Unfortunately, we have done just that; taken a step forward. We have taken a step when we should have been taking leaps and bounds. Granted, it is a step in the right direction, but there is so much more that we must do.
Anne Arundel County, once a rural farm-type area, has and is experiencing a population and industrial explosion unparalleled in the county's history. Sociological factors to an increasingly apparent degree are creating grave problems for law enforcement. Prior to the riots which erupted in Baltimore City in the summer of 1968, the citizens of Anne Arundel County were virtually unexposed to serious dangers or crime waves. The county was rural and comparatively "safe". For the whole year of 1967 there were only three murders, nine rapes, and only sixty-four serious assault cases in the whole county. When compared with our two populous neighbors, Baltimore City and Baltimore County, these figures are too small as to warrant increased police protection. There were few, if any cries of police brutality, or racial injustices. There were only very minor problems in our area schools and arson was a tool unscrupulous or "hard-luck" business men used to collect insurance payments on an unprofitable business venture. In the past few years, the county has had to buy large quantities of tear gas, gas masks, shotguns and other riot oriented equipment. Our K-9 Corps has expanded in size and all personnel have received induction in human relations and should the human relations fail, crowd control. There have been demonstrations and threats of bombs emanating from previously peaceful communities and schools. Marijuana and hard drugs have appeared in our senior and junior high school. There have been scattered incidents where crosses have been burned in predominately Negro neighborhoods and one of our officers was critically injured when a bomb blast rocked the business area of Glen Burnie.
There is an immediate need for a greater understanding to be fostered between law enforcement and the various racial, religious, cultural and ethnic groups; however, the executive branch of government-law enforcement - must maintain order in the midst of inflammatory situation which must be contained and controlled.
"One of the most fundamental elements in any police course in human relations is civil rights. This statement is applicable to police dealings with any and every citizen. It is imperative for all police officers to appreciate the civil rights acknowledged to the public by law."⁴
Leaders with the police department are aware of their responsibility to the community and are continuing efforts to make Police-Community Relations more meaningful to all segments of our population. Chief Ashley Vick, the new chief of the Anne Arundel County Police has shown the wisdom and foresight to continue and promote this vital program. The Federal Government had (April 1, 1970) approved a program which provided funds for purchasing, manning, and equipping a Winnebago mobile van which would be utilized almost exclusively in the Community Relations Field. This vehicle will travel through the county, but especially in the ghetto and underprivileged area to insure that all citizens are aware of the existence of the Community Relations Council and its goals.
In summation, the Anne Arundel County Police and the Community Relations Councils reject the premise that a police department is only as good as the community wants it to be. We subscribe rather to the principle that the community will respond to public education, sparked by the police, as to how good law enforcement can be. A police department is adequate only when it is favorably viewed as our police by all segments of the community it serves.
¹ Mr. Quinn Tamm, Executive Director International Association of Chiefs of Police (Interview conducted in March 1968, prior to implementation of A.A. Co. Community Relations Board Meeting).
² Mr. Fred Brinkley is past president of the Glen Burnie Jaycees.
³ By-laws of original document as prepared by the Steering Committee on January 10, 1966.
⁴
