PSPD chief talks race relations and body cameras for officers

The new leaders of a desert police department are looking for ways to improve race relations, use the newest technology and get more officers on the beat.

On Monday new Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes and Capt. Walter Combs had their first meeting with the city’s Human Rights Commission.

“It’s always a good opportunity for us to get out and find out what the community wants, to know some of the issues and concerns that they may have,” said Combs.

The commission wanted to know what the police department was going to do to improve relations with the people. This was after dozens of altercations across the country where officer involved shootings led to protests and violence. PSPD gets around 60,000 calls a year, and now between those calls officers are going to start talking with more people.

“As the officers are running from call to call, it’s important for us to in all levels of the department to slow down and have some dialog with the community and hear their concerns, and explain why we respond in the manner that we do,” said Reyes.

PSPD is also looking into getting body camera’s for its officers. The department has tested seven cameras and is working on a policy that will be taken up with City Council.

We went downtown to find out what regular people think of the Palm Springs Police Department.

“I think they are doing a great job with what they are doing. They very much care for their community and they go out of their way to make sure certain things are taken care of,” said Anthony Shack.

“When they pull you over or they are talking to you they give you the benefit of the doubt and I think that they handle themselves very professionally,” said Micheal Tucker.

Reyes is also going to send more officer into schools to build positive relationships with children.

PSPD is having a problem hiring officers and is 12 short of where it wants to be. The city is offering incentives to get more people to apply for the jobs, and according to the chief those incentives appear to be working in getting people to apply.

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