Roundtable discussion just the beginning of dialogue for Wilkes-Barre and community

WILKES-BARRE — Growing up Robert Collins didn’t think the police force was for him.

With only one black officer in the Wilkes-Barre Police Department at the time, Collins all but ruled out trying to follow his lead. But after 10 years on the job and seeing more minorities change the complexion and make up of the city, he would like others to join him.

“I found out this is a job for each and everyone of us,” Collins said.

The veteran officer sat next to his son Robert Jr. and participated in a roundtable discussion with other city officials, community and religious leaders Wednesday night at Wilkes University, focusing on the issues of inclusion, community policing and diversity. City Councilwoman Beth Gilbert and the younger Collins put together the two-hour program attended by approximately 45 people.

“I think it definitely helped to open up the dialogue that is missing in a lot of cities in the United States,” Gilbert said. She added that she plans to schedule more programs at other venues throughout the city.

The 12-member panel answered questions submitted by the public on topics such as increasing the number of minority city police officers and school teachers, dealing with the opioid epidemic and the large number drug overdoses and cultural sensitivity.

Community outreach is planned to encourage more minorities to take civil service exam for the police department, said Ted Wampole, city administrator. There’s apprehension because of the perception that the test is too hard or technical.

“We don’t want anybody to be afraid to take the test,” Wampole said.

Another obstacle is the job description, Wampole said, adding, “I don’t know if we do a good enough job explaining what the job really is.”

Officer Collins talked about the Disproportionate Minority Contact program conducted by law enforcement directed at ninth- and 12th-grade students. It teaches them about dealing with police and how the officers can deal with them.

Pastor Michael Brewster, of the Mount Zion Baptist Church, encouraged people to overcome their fears and taking action, by doing something as simple as interacting with someone from another race, ethnic group or religion.

“We have to be intentional about wanting to see the world through the eyes of someone else,” Brewster said.

Approximately 45 people attended the Community Roundtable discussion with Wilkes-Barre city officials, religious and community leaders Wednesday night at Wilkes University that focused on issue of policing, diversity and inclusion.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TTL092916roundtable1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgApproximately 45 people attended the Community Roundtable discussion with Wilkes-Barre city officials, religious and community leaders Wednesday night at Wilkes University that focused on issue of policing, diversity and inclusion.

Printing forms in Spanish, community outreach to attract more minorities to take civil service exams and diversity training for police officers were some of the topics discussed Wednesday night during a Community Roundtable with Wilkes-Barre city officials, religious and community leaders at Wilkes University.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_TTL092916roundtable2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPrinting forms in Spanish, community outreach to attract more minorities to take civil service exams and diversity training for police officers were some of the topics discussed Wednesday night during a Community Roundtable with Wilkes-Barre city officials, religious and community leaders at Wilkes University.