Officer Michael Landen, Leland's Crime Prevention Officer, attended the Governor's Crime Commission (GCC) CPTED class in Shelby, NC. This class teaches officers how to recognize techniques in reducing crime and victims of crime with the utilization of better lighting, security and landscaping techniques, to name a few. Often overlooked, correcting simple problems such as overgrowth, neglect of facilities and making a business or home less appealing to criminals is often the only steps needed to prevent common crimes of opportunity, such as breaking and entering and robberies.
Officer's Spence and Pierce (pictured with Chief Jayne) attended CIT, hosted by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office and through the Southeastern Center for Mental Health in Wilmington. Participants learned the importance of identifying individuals who may be suffering from mental illness during a police response and better ways of assisting them in their situations. "It is easy to become jaded in this career field and forget our primary responsibility is to help people," one officer said at the graduation on Friday. "This class reminded us that we often focus on the crime and often forget about the individuals. Sometimes there are better options then arrest, especially if someone is suffering from a mental illness." This was reiterated by a mother whose daughter was helped by a CIT officer years ago. "Thier understanding of her situation and patience they demonstrated in getting the help she needed was the first step in her being able to deal with her mental condition even today."
Chief Jayne has advocated both of these programs as part of his commitment to Leland in creating a cooperative relationship between the police and citizens as well as addressing its ever changing needs and expectations of the police department.
