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Bowie sergeant: community policing and education are key to preventing bias incidents
Summary
Sergeant McMaster, Bowie Police Department community service sergeant, told the Bowie Speaks audience that dialogue and community programs such as National Night Out and the citizens academy help reduce fear and build trust, and urged residents to report bias incidents and use city resources.
Sergeant John McMaster, community service sergeant with the Bowie Police Department, said community policing and sustained dialogue are central to preventing bias from turning into criminal conduct. "Dialogue and communication...is the cornerstone of what we do and what is necessary," he said, and urged residents to attend events where officers and other agencies are present to build relationships before incidents occur.
McMaster promoted specific programs — National Night Out at Allen Pond and a free 13-week citizens academy — as places where residents can meet officers and learn about policing practices. He also encouraged reporting: "If you see something, say something," and said the department will refer reports to the community service unit. City staff at the panel also pointed attendees to the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention and to the state hate crime statute (Criminal Law Code Title 10, Subtitle 3, Section 10-304) as resources for residents to learn how incidents are handled.
