The importance of mindset in policing | Chip Huth | TEDxTacoma

Summary

In this inspiring talk, Chip Hughes, a 24-year veteran law enforcement officer, shares Kansas City's transformative journey in policing. From a zero-tolerance approach that failed to a mindset shift towards seeing people as individuals with hopes and needs, Hughes illustrates how this change in perspective led to significant reductions in crime and community complaints. The story highlights the power of empathy and personal connection in building trust and solving problems, proving that a change in mindset can create lasting, positive impacts on communities.

Takeaways

• 👮 Law enforcement has faced scrutiny and a lack of trust due to high-profile events, prompting a need for transformation in policing methods.
• 🛑 Chip, a 24-year law enforcement veteran, acknowledges his previous approach of 'pleading problems, not people' contributed to the issue.
• 🔄 Kansas City police underwent a transformative journey, learning new ways of policing that focused on community engagement and problem-solving.
• 🏘️ The Westside Community's high crime rate and fear of police were addressed by shifting from a zero-tolerance policy to a more community-oriented approach.
• 🐾 A significant reduction in dogs being shot during search warrant operations was achieved by incorporating a dog expert and technology to restrain aggressive animals.
• 🚐 SWAT team members took initiative to improve conditions in patrol wagons, addressing community complaints about excessive heat and enhancing relations with detainees.
• 🍳 A SWAT officer's empathetic response to a family's ruined dinner during an evacuation demonstrated the humanizing effect of seeing people as individuals with needs.
• 👶 An officer's act of mixing and distributing baby bottles during a chaotic house search illustrates the importance of adaptability and responsiveness in law enforcement.
• 🔑 Two officers on the West Side focused on building trust and differentiating between day laborers and criminals, leading to a significant drop in crime rates.
• 🏢 The community's re-engagement with local businesses and support for the police is a testament to the positive outcomes of a mindset shift in law enforcement.
• 🌟 The SWAT team's transformation resulted in a three-fold increase in productivity and a 100% reduction in community complaints over six years, showcasing the power of a mindset change.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script?

The script discusses the transformation of law enforcement practices, particularly in Kansas City, focusing on changing the mindset from 'pleasing problems' to 'pleasing people' to build trust and reduce crime.

How long has Chip, Hugh been a law enforcement officer?

Chip, Hugh has been a law enforcement officer for the past 24 years.

What significant events led to a lack of trust in the police?

High-profile events in the country, which are not specified in the script, have contributed to a lack of trust in the police among many community members.

What was the initial approach of the SWAT team in the Westside Community?

The initial approach was a zero tolerance policy toward crime, with heavy policing, writing tickets, and making arrests for any violation, regardless of how minor.

What was the result of the initial SWAT team approach in the Westside Community?

Despite the heavy-handed approach, the crime rate increased, and community members began to see the police as the enemy.

How did the mindset of the SWAT team begin to change?

The mindset began to change through the influence of The Arbinger Institute, which partnered with the Leadership Academy to encourage officers to see the people they serve as people.

What was the impact of embedding a dog expert with the SWAT team?

Embedding a dog expert led to an 80% reduction in dogs being shot during search warrant operations by learning about dog behavior and implementing additional technology to restrain aggressive animals.

What initiative did the patrol wagon drivers take to address the issue of excessive heat in the prisoner compartment?

The patrol wagon drivers purchased PVC pipe and duct tape to create a makeshift ventilation system that pushed cool air into the prisoner's compartment.

What was the result of the SWAT team's new approach in the Westside Community after abandoning the zero tolerance policy?

The crime rate was reduced to an all-time low, and the community became more engaged and supportive of the police, with businesses and restaurants moving back into the neighborhood.

How did the SWAT team's productivity and community complaints change after the mindset shift?

The SWAT team captured more illegal drugs and guns in a 3-year period than in the previous decade, while receiving zero community complaints for 6 years, indicating a three-fold increase in productivity and a 100% reduction in complaints.

What is the key takeaway from the script regarding law enforcement and community relations?

The key takeaway is that changing the mindset of law enforcement officers to see community members as individuals with hopes, needs, and fears, rather than just enforcing rules, can significantly improve relations and reduce crime.