Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers calls this a unique time when police officers can be challenged as being public servants.
Weathers told Lexington Rotarians in their virtual meeting Thursday officers need to respond as public servants. He said it’s important to recognize societal issues which can lead to crime. “And I’m talking about social issues like poverty, like the adverse conditions that some children grow up in, mental health issues, substance abuse issues. Those are things that we have to be prepared to suppress if we don’t want them to transform into criminal acts,” said Weathers.
The Lexington chief says police are charged with care, custody, and control of people. Weathers noted he’s not opposed to a citizen review board for police, but he added the chief needs to have a say when it comes to discipline.
The police chief said calls for defunding police often come with a request for more social workers. Weathers said the two professions have similarities. “And I’m by no means saying we’re social workers but we have to realize we need to be social. We need to be in touch with our community to do the work that needs to be done to make sure that our communities stay safe,” explained Weathers.
Asked about what appears to be picking sides between police and the Black Lives Matter movement, Weathers said there will be disagreement on some issues, but adds there’s always common ground that can be reached. The chief said, quote, “we have to live together, so we have to work together.”?
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