How to instill trust in law enforcement

[Dragonwinged]

So, In the course of the main story that I'm writing, it is discovered that there is a considerable distrust between the culture of the primary characters and the local law enforcement. The local law enforcement need to plan an outreach event to try and renew trust in their justice and authority.

For the story, this essentially becomes an event where citizens are invited to share their grievances directly with officers. In addition, the officers choose to highlight a select few members of the community whom they like to portray as ideal role models.

Now imagine an event like this taking place in the world today? I'm certain there are a number of communities who feel like they've been treated unfairly by local law enforcement, whether or not those feelings are justified. Do you think an outreach event like what I've described above will help? Or is there something else you can think of to help form trust between law enforcement and communities?

 

[Houseman]

It depends what the grievances are.

If the culture is a culture of criminals (gangs, illegal immigrants), then their grievances are likely selfish and unjustified.
If the culture is full of upstanding citizens, then their grievances might be that the police are too lenient, too progressive, and that they don't feel adequately protected.

I would think for either culture, the "ideal role model" idea would likely backfire, and cause harm to those "role models", as their culture would see that individual as a traitor to their values.

The solution depends on what the grievances are. A culture of criminals would likely never find any agreement with the police for obvious reasons.
Some sort of "citizen oversight board" could help, where a few citizens have a position of relative power over the police. Any complaints? Talk to the citizens you elected to be on the board.

 

[Gauche]

Nope
Highlighting favorites is just asking for problems

Sportsball
I don't know how Canadians can trust their local peace officers if they can't demonstrate proper boarding technique on the regular

 

[Vendor-Lazarus]

It's exactly as Houseman says. Both kind have occurred where I am, and the one saw police/law/justice bending knee to crims, appointing a sharia judge, and changing definitions of crimes to be less harsh when in their "territory".

The other, decent areas, was met with derision, as they thought offering the equivalent of milk and cookies to combat more and more, younger and younger, youth robbing and dealing drugs would stop. And that writing politely in a foreign language would stop the arson, shootings, rape, and bombings.