Local Law Enforcement Recognized
The Stop the Violence Coalition of Asheville, Inc., Rev Dr. Keith A. Ogden, and members of Hill Street Baptist Church recently joined communities across America to say thanks to local law enforcement agencies.
“This is one of the ways we say thanks to our service men and women who served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces. Today the two came together during Sunday morning’s service, to salute the brave men and women of the Asheville Police Department, and the Buncombe County Sheriff Department,” said Rev Dr. Keith Ogden.
Recognitions Plaques were presented to Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper and Buncombe Sheriff Van Duncan on behalf of both departments.
Carol Rogoff Hallstrom says that “… during my five years on the Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC), I have seen three APD chiefs, male and female, black and white. I will support Chief Hooper until I see demonstrated reasons not to. I will encourage the Chief, and I will continue, to work to identify and address structural racism and consider necessary changes in policy and practice that will increase confidence in the APD for all of Asheville’s communities.”
Rev. Dr. Keith Ogden went on further to say, “We don’t want to overshadow what bad apples tend to do within the agencies. That’s what we’re saying. I think we need to come together and say look, we’re on the same team and we’re working in a unified effort together.”
