New acting PSPD Chief focused on hiring officers & spreading diversity in department
Residents in Palm Springs got their first face-to-face chance to talk to the new acting police chief and voice their concerns about safety.
The new acting Palm Springs Police Chief, Bryan Reyes, talked to a packed house for his first town hall meeting at Chill, a gay bar on Arenas.
“I think it’s wonderful that they did this kind of outreach to a community that is sometimes underserved in other communities,” said George Applegate, a part time resident of Palm Springs who attended the town hall.
Acting Chief Reyes has held his position for only a month, but has worked for PSPD for more than 2 decades.
“It’s a great job, it a lot of responsibility, but it’s tough and I’m going to have to make some tough decisions, and I look forward to anything that comes my way,” said Reyes.
One issue many of the people brought up was protection for LGBT people in Palm Springs in the wake of the alleged hate crime and death of prominent LGBT activist George Zander.
“We just have more aggressive people out and about that are not afraid to possibly attack someone or do something that maybe we don’t consider appropriate,” said Robert Bracken.
“I think the communication piece with the LGBT community is critical, so when we do have a hate crime so there is not mass panic, we give them the facts in the case,” said Reyes.
The department is short staffed right now and is looking to hire 9 more officers to join a career at a time when some are turning away from jobs in law enforcement.
“The perception of law enforcement has been very difficult, coupled with recent terrorist activities 45 minutes away from us in San Bernardino, this job is not just something someone wants to get involved with. So we are looking at creative ways of attracting officers that are already in this chosen profession by offering hiring bonuses, which is working,” said Reyes.
“We are going to be holding public meetings on the cities budget this year and we are asking for peoples input on the budget, and we would really like to be able to work out more money for our police department,” said Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon.
With diversity in mind the department is actively looking to hire members of the LGBT community as officers.
