In an effort to inform the citizens of Picayune about the proper method of interacting with law enforcement officers, Picayune Council members Larry Breland and Lynn Bogan Bumpers will be hosting a skit in conjunction with the Picayune Police Department.
“Councilwoman Bumpers and I have been keeping up with the news and all these violent situations occurring across the nation,” Breland said. “We are very much concerned that the citizens of Picayune know the correct procedures they should follow if they are stopped by an officer either in a vehicle or while walking.”
Picayune Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said that during the event several officers will be performing skits depicting proper and improper interactions during a traffic stop and when an officer approaches people on the street.
“Training the citizens on proper interaction with the police officers and training officers on proper interaction with the public helps prevent incidents from occurring that could cause bodily harm to the officer or a citizen,” Magri said.
During the skits, the officers will demonstrate the chain of events that occur when a citizen complies with an officer’s request and when someone doesn’t comply, Magri said.
“This is about reaching out to educate the citizens of the community about how to properly interact with law enforcement,” Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey said.
During the event, officers will field questions from the audience pertaining only to interactions with officers, Magri said.
“This is another way to help form a better relationship with the citizens of Picayune and to educate them on why the officers do what they do during interactions with the public,” Magri said.
Breland said he and Bumpers hope citizens will learn to be more proactive, rather than reactive. He also hopes to open communication between the community and police department.
“We realize that the officers with the police department have a difficult job,” Breland said. “They are one of the few professions who, when they do their job right, get a lot of criticism. In our opinion, this skit will help maybe solve some future problems. If they know what they should do then hopefully, and prayerfully, they will do it.”
The event will be held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, located at 501 Weems St. in Picayune, Thursday at 6 p.m. It is open to the public and Breland said he hopes for a good turnout.