Jim Leach began his law enforcement career in 1975, and he shares his insights as a multi media analyst and consultant for Golden Media Group in matters relating to Criminal Justice. Mr. Leach is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 133 rd Session, in Quantico Virginia.
The FBI National Academy is located on the back side of the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. It brings police from around the world together for advanced training, primarily focused on management and investigation. One of the values of attending the National Academy is the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences.
When I was there in 1983, I met Chief Ron Schmeal of the York Regional Police Department in Pennsylvania. Prior to meeting Chief Schmeal, I had never heard of the Regional Police Department concept. Regional police departments became popular in some parts of the country when defunding the police appeared to be a cool thing to do. It seemed cool until experienced officers started retiring early, and it was difficult to find qualified recruits to replace them. Some cities turned to regional departments to fill the gap.
To put it simply, regional police departments are private entities that provide police protection for a specified area, and the people who live in the protected area finance the department.
Depending on the area, legal issues regarding such things as jurisdiction and liability may be involved, but they tend to get worked out when it seems to be in the best interest of the affected public.
I am not aware of any regional police departments in Tennessee. When I saw new state legislation allowing private security officers to be armed with a rifle-caliber weapon, it reminded me of the possibilities available to increase private security capabilities.
As is always the case, when new laws are passed, there will be situations that will need to be addressed, and some lawmakers, and security experts, have already expressed concerns. I feel confident that those issues will be seen to.
The bill is well thought out. It lists the requirements necessary for a security officer to become an “enhanced armed guard” and carry a “long gun” while on duty in certain situations. An applicant must have been a certified law enforcement officer or a former member of the military.
As far as I know, a private company can pay whatever the market can bear, so it might be able to hire several experienced police officers and provide the foundation for something comparable to a regional police department.
When police reform was the subject of mass demonstrations, I liked to say in the classroom, the police business is always reforming. When a new law is passed, or a court ruling is handed down, we have to reform to adapt to the changes. The trick is to make sure that the reform makes things better, not worse.
(PHOTO: Jim Leach)
