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History of Community-Oriented Policing Board

Ron Waldner 

Chief of Police - Retired

 Ron Waldner, Chief of Police from 1988 to 1998, was a  founding member of the Community-Oriented Policing Board in Tukwila. The following are his comments concerning the original formation of the board in 1994.

Clearly, the operative word in the expression, “Community Oriented Policing”, is community.  Time and again history has demonstrated; when citizens take responsibility for their environment the need for governmental intervention is diminished.  In the early 90’s, Tukwila was faced with excessive crime, deteriorating neighborhoods, and a burdened Police Department, that saw little light at the end of the tunnel. Out of a series of community meetings which posed the very real question, “This is your neighborhood, your problems, what do you want to do about them?” came a grassroots movement of self-help.  The Community Oriented Policing Citizens’ Advisory Board was born.  The community\police collaboration that grew from this beginning lead to a host of community enhancing initiatives but more importantly, a joint vision of ownership that viewed community challenges together.  As they say, the rest is history.

 Ron Waldner  

August 2002

Gregg Kats

Former Chairman, COPCAB

Gregg Kats chaired the COPCAB from 1999 to 2002. He is a manager at Boeing Employee Credit Union.

Community Oriented Policing has proven to be a fantastic bridge between the citizen's and the police departments.  Although we have only scratched the surface, enthusiasm and awareness continue to grow.  Each person in the community has the responsibility to be a problem solver.  By reaching out and taking an interest in our neighborhoods, we make progress in identifying and addressing problems, issues and concerns that may otherwise go unsolved. The value in this type of partnership is evident and continued support of this endeavor will only benefit the entire community.  I would encourage participation in your local community to begin reaping the rewards this philosophy embraces. 

Gregg Kats

September 2002

 

 Harry Lloyd

Former Chairman, COPCAB

Harry Lloyd led the COPCAB as chairman from 1994 to 1998. He is a retired manager from Boeing Employee's Credit Union. The following are his comments and philosophy on Community-Oriented Policing: 

“What is most important is to form a partnership between the police and the community to resolve mutual problems. As a charter member and  f irst chairperson  of the Citizens Oriented Policing Citizens Advisory Board, we came together in 1994 as an experiment in citizens involvement in community policing and continues to this day with many successes. My congratulations to all the present board members, the chief of police, and the Tukwila Community.”

Harry Lloyd

September 2002