The heartbreaking events involving law enforcement and community members across the U.S. are a painful reminder of the importance of building strong relationships between a police department and the residents they protect and serve.

Here in Kirkland, we are blessed. Our police officers do have a strong connection and trusting relationship with the community evidenced not only by the outpouring of support the police received after the shootings in Dallas, but also by the high rate of satisfaction expressed in our City-wide surveys year after year.

That kind of trust and connectivity does not happen by accident. It is a product of our City Council and the Kirkland Police Department’s commitment to earn the trust and respect of all residents. This commitment starts in the hiring process and is reinforced through training that educates officers on the importance of community policing and understanding and overcoming bias. Each officer receives an average of 100 hours of training per year, even though the state only mandates 24 hours per year. This training includes verbal and non-verbal communications, de-escalation of people in crisis, and fewer lethal options to the use of deadly force. Kirkland’s officers are highly equipped in the reasonable, situational applicability of their extensive training.

But we can’t stop there. The City Council and the Police Department recognize that there is always a need to continually review and improve so that all members of the Kirkland community feel safe and protected by the Department.

The other side of the equation rests in having a community that understands the special challenges of policing. The job is tough physically, mentally and emotionally. The police, or other public safety personnel, often appear at the darkest moments of a person’s life. It is a huge responsibility, and it takes an emotional toll on members of the force.

On any given shift, police can find themselves in harm’s way. They sometimes have encounters where they are treated scornfully. They are often in conflict situations where emotions run high.

Then, after a hard day or night of work, they go home to their families who live with an undertone of worry about their safety.

When the community understands the challenges police face, and when police understand the needs of our diverse population, then together we make Kirkland a very special and safe place.

It takes a strong commitment on both sides to hold each other accountable to high standards.

We must keep working together to ensure this relationship continues to deepen.

Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen

Councilmember Shelley Kloba

Councilmember Toby Nixon

Councilmember Dave Asher

Councilmember Doreen Marchione

Councilmember Penny Sweet

Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris