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I am proud to be your chief
and will work diligently to gain your trust.
2 ½ years ago, Chief John
Horton asked me to come to Banning to be his Deputy Chief. There were some
members of the police department who wanted change and others who did not.
There were also many in the community who wanted a more responsive and
accountable police department.
As a result, we overhauled
our citizen’s complaint process and established a method to track complaints in
order to make sure they were handled appropriately. We also held our employees
accountable by administering discipline when appropriate.
During the last 2 ½ years, we
have found that public faith in the department has grown. We have also noticed
that the department’s image is gradually improving over time.
On the suppression side of
law enforcement, we were able to bring a narcotics task force (Allied Riverside
Cities Narcotic Enforcement Team - ARCNET) to Banning. We were also able to
bring a gang task force (San Gorgonio Special Operations Gang Task Force) to
Banning. Both units are housed in the City of Banning and provide several extra
law enforcement eyes and ears to the city.
The last couple of years have
also brought some innovative and progressive programs to the Banning Area.
Through a close working relationship and funding from the Morongo Band of
Missions Indians, we started the successful “Knock out Gangs in Schools” program
last year (2006). The program consists of two officers who are assigned to the
Banning Unified School District and work with youth (grades K-12) to help
prevent them from becoming involved in gangs.
We also applied for and
received federal grant awards in 2006 and 2007 to provide one officer to our
school district to teach the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum, Gang Resistance Education
and Training, to 4th through 7th grade students. This
program focuses on preventing youth from becoming involved in gangs and making
positive choices.
Both programs would not have
been possible without the collaborative effort between the Banning Unified
School District and the Banning Police Department. I am proud to say we have a
strong relationship with the school district and I look forward to continuing
the bonds that have formed.
We
have also worked closely with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office to
introduce “Project Safe Neighborhoods” in Banning. The anti-gang program was
developed to assist communities address gang problems throughout Riverside
County. Participants in the program include the Riverside County District
Attorney’s Office, Banning Police Department, San Gorgonio Special Operations
Gang Task Force, Riverside County Probation Department, Banning Unified School
District, and programs such as Connect-to-Achieve and the Youth Accountability
Team. This comprehensive, unified approach targets one geographic area at a
time-with all resources focused on three approaches (prevention, intervention,
and suppression).
My focus will continue to be
on Intervention and Prevention Programs. In January of this year, the Banning
Police Department re-introduced the Banning Police Activities League to the City
of Banning. Each Saturday, there are between 60-80 youth who play soccer and 20
youth who play basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, or tennis with our officers.
This close contact with our youth gives them positive role models and keeps them
away from dangerous activity while they are participating in our programs.
We have also formed strong
bonds with the Boys & Girls Club of the San Gorgonio Pass. This year (2007),
our “Knock out Gangs in Schools” officers will work with Boys & Girls Club Staff
after school and help them administer programs and activities to area youth.
I want you all to know that I
will be “Your Chief.” While growing up, I remember how involved our police
chief was in my community. That involvement has always stayed with me and I
want to be as accessible and visible as possible.
To my employees, I promise
that I will be fair and accountable to you all. I also promise that I will
continue to work with staff to seek out funding that will provide our department
with the best training and equipment possible.
I want you to know I am proud
of the badge and patch I wear everyday and will continue to wear them with
pride. I am also proud of the men and women of the Banning Police Department
and the accomplishments and sacrifices you make in order to serve this community.
Chief of
Police
Leonard T. Purvis
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