FORT WORTH, Texas — During police emergencies, like felony traffic stops, officers don't think twice about putting themselves in harm's way -- all for public safety. One reason why the community-police relationship is vital.
So, the Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM) in Fort Worth is calling on the public to help reach goals for the city.
"My number one goal is to ensure transparency and accountability with the community and the police department," said OPOM Director Bonycle Sokunbi.
Past high-profile police cases in Fort Worth shattered community trust, like the 2016 wrongful arrest of the late Jackie Craig and her daughter who called 911 for help. Another case? The 2019 murder of Atatiana Jefferson, fatally shot by an officer during a welfare check.
Both cases have since had lawsuit settlements -- which led to some level of accountability for the families.
Now, for the first time ever, OPOM is using social media to recruit volunteer "mediators". OPOM Education Program Coordinator Taylor Davis will oversee their training.
"It is a 50-hour training. We'll start this third week of January, and it will be for two weekends and two weekdays. And then we'll have four professional development days throughout the year," Davis said. "We're looking for people who want to be in the room as change makers and make space for intense conversations and be willing to learn from one another."
OPOM is looking for people from all backgrounds, ethnicities and age groups to be volunteer mediators.
Sokunbi is the second person to serve as OPOM director for the city of Fort Worth. Her background includes work in the criminal justice field. So, another goal is to make sure the law enforcement community knows she has an open ear and appreciation for what police officers do for the community on a daily basis.
Sokunbi wants the mediators to help play a role in serving both the community and law enforcement when it comes to building trust.
"So I don't want to take complete credit for it. The original director, Ms. Kim Neal started the groundwork for the program. But while I was in oversight in New Orleans, we had a mediation program. So, when I saw this is one of the goals for OPOM is to actually launch this program," said Sokunbi.
The goal is to have the mediator program up and running in the beginning of 2024. Either way, OPOM is already a go-to for people with concerns and compliments about their experience with the Fort Worth Police Department.
"It's important for the community member to realize they have a voice, and they can use it and the police officer to know they also have a voice," said Sokunbi.
People in Fort Worth interested in learning more about the mediator program can visit: https://linktr.ee/fortworthpoliceoversight.