City trying to improve police relations

DAYTON (WDTN) - Dayton City leaders will unveil a plan this weekend designed to open lines of communication and build trust between police and the people the serve.

There is no hiding the fact that the relationship between the Dayton Police Department and the community has been strained.

Tensions boiled over last summer after Kylen English, who was under arrest, broke out of the back of a cruiser and jumped off the Salem Avenue Bridge to his death.

Dayton City Commissioner Joey Williams said that incident highlighted the need for action.

"There have been some others incident since that time that told us we should take this very seriously," said Williams. "Other communities throughout the country who have had this same issue, took it serious and made improvements, are better off for it".

Williams spearheaded the effort to launch a community-police council. Over the last several months, there have been town hall meetings and other group sessions where the community was able to weigh in.

The information was all collected and analyzed by researchers at Wright State University who developed a best-practices plan.

Williams said already the plan is paying off.

"I can already see some definite improvements because we are having the conversation," he said. "I have had people come up to me and say they are pleased that we are not putting our heads in the sand like an ostrich, but acknowledging that this is a relationship we would like to see get better".

The Community-Police Action Plan will be unveiled on Saturday, September 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dayton Convention Center, room 306.

The public is welcome to attend, but you must register at http://www.daytonohio.gov/hrc