By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Police Lt. Adam Skaff wants to know what people in the community think of their law enforcement.
As part of a course on police legitimacy and community relations, Skaff is undertaking a survey in Bowling Green on the public perception of trust and legitimacy of the police force.
Following is a link to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HPW9BFH. Local residents are asked to submit their responses by Sept. 29.
The anonymous survey will ask respondents to give their age, gender and ethnicity. Respondents will be asked to rank their trust and confidence in the Bowling Green Police Division, and asked if there have been recent incidents in the community that affected that trust in police.
The survey goes on to question respondents about their perceptions of fair and equal treatment by police of individuals regardless of their race or ethnicity. Anyone having witnessed treatment considered unfair or discriminatory, is given an opportunity to describe the incident.
Transparency and accountability are also addressed. The survey asks if respondents believe local police are transparent about their actions and are held accountable for misconduct. And citizens are asked to suggest measures or actions that could improve police trust and legitimacy in the community.
Skaff has served the Bowling Green community as a police officer for 21 years.
Three years ago, after the killing of George Floyd, Skaff volunteered to fill the newly-created role of police liaison for communities of color. In that role, he works to keep Bowling Green safe and welcoming.
Skaff also serves as the police division’s public information officer.
As part of his coursework with the Law Enforcement Foundation, he selected a community survey as his project. The foundation provides executive-level management training for law enforcement, culminating in a masters-level certification in law enforcement management.
“I want to get legitimate feedback from community members,” Skaff said.
He is hoping to use the survey responses to determine if changes are warranted.
“Are there actual steps we can take to improve?” he said.
