ROCHESTER — The Rochester Police Department has added a new position designed to improve community relations.
Mayor Lovely A. Warren and Chief Michael Ciminelli announced the new Deputy Chief of Community Relations position Sept. 14, which will be filled by Deputy Chief Wayne Harris.
"At a time when we see the relationships between police departments and communities across our country become strained, we must make every effort to maintain and advance the level of trust between our police officers and the community," Mayor Warren stated in a press release.
In the new role, Harris will report directly to the chief to provide top-level coordination of the department’s community-oriented policing initiatives. Recent efforts to improve relations have included implementing the five-section patrol model and officers’ use of body cameras. Harris will oversee these programs and other outreach activities to evaluate their effectiveness and recommend enhancements. He also will work with patrol sections, neighborhood service centers and police personnel to relay community concerns directly to the chief so they are addressed properly, according to the press release.
For more information, visit http://cityofrochester.gov.
