Rogers gathers feedback to improve police department
Laura Bond, Reporter
12-03-2007
The city of Ruston is experiencing growth spurts, and the
newly-sworn-in police chief is making plans to ensure his department stays in
step.Steve Rogers, who worked as a patrol officer with Ruston police for three years and in various capacities at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office for 12 years, has been chatting with a number of the 50 employees he now supervises to see what they need to better do their jobs.
The expansion of the police facilities as well as the number of personnel — both on the streets and in the office — are ideas that have come up on Rogers’ radar.
“We do need more room,” Rogers said in reference to the current RPD home at City Hall.
If more space is allotted, Rogers said the department might be able to move forward and hire additional officers and dispatchers.
“We receive more calls than we did 5 years ago,” he said, “and it would be cramped to put another dispatcher in there.”
Rogers said he would like to work with Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth and the aldermen on obtaining another facility that leaves room for expansion, since the city is growing by leaps and bounds.
The image of the Ruston Police Department is another area Rogers would like to tackle.
During a special-called meeting last month to approve a police chief, alderman Elmore Mayfield described the negative perceptions residents in some neighborhoods have about local police.
Rogers said he will address this issue by providing more police training regarding interaction with citizens, talking to each alderman individually and keeping in constant contact with community members to listen to their concerns.
“The image and reputation of the department is very important to me,” he said. “We have an excellent department, (but) we can all make that effort to do better in our jobs.”
RPD public information officer Lt. Curtis Hawkins reports the police response to Rogers’ promotion has been positive.
“We’re glad we finally have a chief selected; I think everyone is looking forward to working together and trying to push our department forward,” Hawkins said. “Steve has been visiting with the majority of the officers to get their ideas and suggestions. I think that’s great. He has a lot of input, and getting ideas from across the board is going to give him a lot of (options) to choose from when it comes to him making decisions.”
Mayor Hollingsworth said he believes Rogers’ past experience in law enforcement will help facilitate a smooth transition into his new role made official today.
Rogers, who has worked as a criminal investigator, narcotics investigator and patrol supervisor, replaces Randal Hermes, who retired as police chief last spring.
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