Community Sets Batesville Police Department Apart (Public Safety | Winner, Class II)

Batesville may be one of Arkansas’ oldest cities, but its focus on community-based public safety is nothing less than innovative. The city’s police force was created in 2015, but in a mere two years, they’ve become a state leader in public safety initiatives.

The development of the Community Relations Team, a program that works close with the Batesville Police Department to ensure community-oriented policing, has led to the city’s variety of public safety programs.

The team is a group of full-time certified officers, reserve officers and civilians, and is led by a reserve officer. The Community Relations Team is responsible for the development of public and officer training, providing equipment and sponsorship connections.

In close correlation with the team is the city’s Law Enforcement Public Safety Partners, a nonprofit aiming to raise funds for non-budgeted training and equipment for BDP and the Independence County Sheriffs Department.

These crucial programs directly aid BDP, including NARCAN and trauma kits, which were created with Public Safety Partners funds. NARCAN is a nasal spray meant to help prevent or reverse drug overdoses. Batesville is only the third city to have all on-duty officers carry these kits, and officers have successfully reversed an overdose within the city on three occasions.

Another direct impact from the Community Relations Team and Public Safety Partners is the development of several community-based classes, including: active shooter response training, ladies’ self-defense training and home safety awareness training.

Several school programs covering topics such as safety awareness, distracted driving, social media risks and dating safety have also been implemented. As of August 2015, all teachers, faculty and administrators of the Batesville School District must attend active shooter training.

Of these classes, the active shooter response trainings have become most popular. The course is also popular among banks, churches and business. Several of BPD’s officers have also attended a more intensive, multi-day training to become certified as advanced active shooter instructors. The program’s success has led to BPD leading state-wide, multi-day training sessions titled “Train the Trainer” and several shooter active shooter training classes across the state.

In 2015, Arkansas Department of Health Director Dr. Nathanial Smith requested that the department assist in providing active shooter training to a variety of health department districts across the state. Since then, the department has led in active shooter awareness in the state, and has attended several classes for training to students, officials, officers and citizens from all regions.

No matter how far BPD officers travel, the department’s focus is always on the community. The city’s classes are just one of the few ways they focus on community-based public safety. BPD is hands-on with citizens, offering bicycle and foot patrols, a ride along program and volunteer officers at public events. The department also utilizes social media and events to bridge the gap between officers and civilians.

The Community Relations Team has also sponsored events, such as the Youth Trap Tournament and the Independence County Teen Rodeo. The Community Relations Team’s classes and events only complement this.

The Community Relations Team’s phrase “Batesville Police Department … leading the way in community-oriented law enforcement” is anything but an understatement. With a focus on community-based policy, classes and advancement, the department has quickly become a leader in training and education.

Officers’ bond with the community has undoubtedly set them apart and made them successful in just two years.