KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo Public Safety is getting ready to unveil a new social media platform the public can use to display their positive interactions with officers.
Chief Jeff Hadley said his agency has tried to be the open, consumer oriented, and racially-sensitive police force the public wants, but it’s tough to improve reputation when the national headlines are focused on isolated incidents of police brutality.
“It doesn’t help, but this is our reality — we have to stand up and face it,” Hadley said.
He said it’s unfortunate when the work of the vast majority of good officers gets spoiled by a few bad apples.
“It just brings tears to my eyes, what’s going on across the country,” Hadley said. “All the pain and all the hurt that’s going on right now, and what has been going on historically.”
Monday’s unveil caps off a collaboration with a local public relations firm, Hadley said.
– John McNeill
