GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Payne presented today his department’s final version of a three-year strategic plan for improving policing in the city.
GRPDintroduced a draft of the plan in August and revised it based on community feedback since then.
Payne formally presented the plan at the city's Committee of the Whole meeting at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Watch the presentation
The plan provides defined action steps with measurable outcomes using a neighborhood-based policing model, GRPD said.
It includes a commitment to providing fair and just services for all individuals, acknowledging that people of color, low-income individuals and others have historically be disproportionately been impacted by the city’s policies, policing practices and the criminal justice system.
“Working in partnership with the community, we have developed a plan that will change how policing is done in Grand Rapids,” Payne said yesterday ahead of the meeting. “I feel strongly that our plan provides our personnel the necessary framework to nurture a culture of service, not only for today, but for generations to come. This transition will be successful only if we come together as a community, listen to one another and work together. As we continue to develop this plan and implement it, we will engage our community in an ongoing dialogue with the goal of improving the services we provide.”
Key aspects of the plan include:
- Safety: provide professional neighborhood policing services to prevent crime, enhance trust and ensure safety for every community member, visitor and business.
- Innovation: leverage partnerships and technology to improve services, decrease crime and increase efficiency.
- Engagement: Build community trust and mutual understanding by enhancing community engagement strategies within the framework of neighborhood-based policing.
“I call for strong support for this transformational plan,” Payne said. “We are united in advancing equity, justice and reform in Grand Rapids. I also ask for support of our police department and the officers who tirelessly serve our community every day. Their work is critical to keeping our neighborhoods and community safe.”
Read the full plan here.
