CAMDEN — Camden County Police Department (CCPD) Chief Scott Thomson’s meeting Monday with House Speaker Paul Ryan was a “thoughtful” and “straightforward” session tasked with talking modern policing techniques.
Thomson, who alongside other top law enforcement officials from across the country, met with Ryan in Wisconsin and discussed de-escalation and other decision-making techniques as part of the national Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) guidelines.
“The dialogue we had on de-escalation, community policing and guardian training was thoughtful, deliberate and straightforward which we appreciated and expect to continue into the future,” Thomson said.
The chief added that he was grateful for Ryan taking time out to talk about the work PERF and his police department are doing “to make policing safer for officers and the community while strengthening relationships.”
Thomson leads PERF’s board of directors. Camden’s police officers are already being trained under the new PERF guidelines, which instructs officers to enter every use-of-force situation with a focus on the “sanctity of life.”
Other chiefs and law enforcement personnel who attended Monday’s meeting include New Orleans, Louisiana Chief Michael Harrison; Janesville, Wisconsin Police Chief David Moore; Burlington, Vermont Police Chief Brandon del Pozo; Tucson, Arizona Police Chief Chris Magnus; Volusia County Florida Sheriff Mike Chitwood and PERF Executive Director Chuck Wexler.
“The desire for safer cities, less violence and better relationships between the police and the people transcends politics and clearly was a matter that Speaker Ryan also believes to be of significant importance in our country at this time,” Thomson said.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
