Haga clic en la historia para escuchar un mensaje del Jefe Jesús "Eddie" Campa. Feliz Navidad a todos.

A message from the MPD and Chief Jesus "Eddie" Campa

Keeping Marshall safe today and always

A message from the Marshall Police Department and Chief Jesus

“Eddie” Campa. We are asking our citizens to double and triple check.  We want you to be safe and secure this holiday season. 

What did Denzel Washington have to say on the fake news story on Chife Campa

As a person who has been a victim of fake news I think Denzel Washington hit this perfectly. Fact check your stories before you write them or believe them.  So many people today believe everything they read or see on the internet...

He was at the center of a fake news story, just like Chief Jesus Eddie Campa, but Denzel Washington says it's the mainstream media that's selling "BS." ..."If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you do read it, you're misinformed," Washington, the star and director behind the new film "Fences," told ITK at the Wednesday premiere inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  "The truth is to many fake news sites such as Judicial Watch, are out there spreading false information and writing stories that give the impression that something occurred when in reality it did not, and they do this with no real proof," said the Chief.   

The color of my skin has nothing to do with my leadership style by The Strange Case of Deputy Jesus Eddie Campa

As a Hispanic Police Chief, I am considered a minority. I keep asking myself why it is so important to keep bring up the fact that I am a minority.  I am a Hispanic Police Chief with 22 years of law enforcement experience and an education.  I retired as the Chief Deputy of Law Enforcement in El Paso, Texas and have served as the Police Chief of Marshall, Texas for the past two years.  I am the police chief of a 23,500 population city with the majority of African American population, followed by whites, Hispanics, and followed by a growing Asian population. 

I have had a successful two years in Marshall.  We have lowered the crime rate by a combined 23% in the past two years, introduced new technology, rebuilt the bridge of trust with the community, and have a new outlook on community policing.  We have established new community outreach programs such as the No Colors No Labels Initiative.  The majority of my officers are white.  I do not feel that we have accomplished what we have because of the color of my skin.  I feel that I have accomplished this because the men and women of my agency were ready for a change of direction and leadership. The city as a whole was ready for positive change; all it needed was the right person to come along and set the course.

I feel that we could have accomplished all of this regardless of the color of my skin, as long as the person had the same vision in mind. I was recently asked what the secret to my success has been.  The answer is very simple. One, remember that you are a servant of the community you represent.  Two, remember the golden rule treat others as you would want to be treated, third remember that the foundation of a successful police agency is the community and finally treat your employees fairly and with respect. 

That is the difference between a manager and a leader.   A leader is a person that understands the job and knows the community they serve and the employees that work for them.  What I am trying to say is that I have accomplished this not because of the color of my skin or because I am a minority, but by my beliefs.  To change the culture of an agency the change must be genuine right from the top all the way down the chain.  A cultural shift within an organization can only be completed if the person at the top has gotten the buy-in from the majority of the staff, and the community.  It is vital to remember that actions speak louder than words.  The culture change has nothing to do with the color of the skin of the leader, but everything to do with the belief system that the leader is introducing into the culture.  

Ride the Wave and make it happen says The Strange Case of Deputy Jesus Eddie Campa

Marshall's Police Chief celebrates one year on the job.

However, are the changes he says he's making felt within the community?

Jesus 'Eddie'Campa spent years as Chief Deputy at the El Paso County Sheriff's Department.

He became Marshall's Police Chief on August 18th, with big ideas.

"A lot of people say we've done more things in one year than in the last ten years," said Campa.

  Chief Jesus Eddie Campa that is!!!

When Police Chief, Jesus 'Eddie' Campa' came to Marshall, Texas, things changed.

"Restructuring of the police department, the internal morale of officers, the relationship between the community was stagnant," Campa said. "There were some issues there we needed to address quickly."

Now, one year later, he sees improvement.

"It's been busy, it's been a learning experience," he said.

One of his biggest accomplishments, reducing crime.

"During the first four months I was here," Campa said. "I helped lower the crime rate by 20%. Criminals know that this is no longer a safe haven for them to hang out, so we're making Marshall a better place and providing a better life for citizens."

He says that number continues to fall because his officers are proactive in the community and the residents are proactive as well.

With those two groups working together, it's helping make Marshall stronger.

Some in Marshall agree.

"This area was in need of a person to come in and make drastic changes," said Demetria McFarland with Marshall Against Violence. "I think a lot of people see he's really man of his word and they know there are actions to what he's saying. A lot of people have second thoughts on doing anything they can't get away with."

Campa says there's work to be done.

"We still have a long way to go as far as building the community trust to where I'd like it to be," he said.

And some are ready to stand with him and help.

"If the next year is like how the past year's been, Marshall will be a city that's truly and All-American city," said McFarland.

The Marshall Police Department was also one of the first in EastTexas to start using body cameras.  That's something Campa is proud of.

Some things he plans to continue over the next year is to fully staff the police department, continue reducing crime and continue building community trust with programs like 'No Colors, No Labels.'

Minority Groups by The Strange Case of Deputy Jesus Eddie Campa

 I was asked by a police chief the other day why it was so hard to gain the trust of minority groups. He seemed a little stunned when I asked him what he had done to gain their trust. He had no answer other than to say “I do my job and make sure that they have police protection.” I asked him if the community members believed that they were equal and true stakeholders. I told him that we need to stop looking at minorities as minorities. Yes, they are different, we are different, I am a minority. I am a Hispanic Police Chief in East Texas.  Look at each community member as a stakeholder, not as a color, or race. Yes, you will have to relate to the culture, but have you shown a vested interest in their communities? The following is what I shared with him, and I hope that it helps anyone else out there that may be having the same issue. 

It is apparent that research shows that minorities are more likely to view law enforcement with suspicion and distrust. Minorities report that the police inexplicably single them out because of their race or ethnicity. Is this a fact or a misconception?

It goes without saying that the public’s opinions about the lawfulness and legitimacy of law enforcement are an important gauge for judging policing in society. 

Racial and ethnic minority perceptions that the police lack lawfulness and legitimacy are based mainly on their dealings with the police, and can lead to distrust of the police. Distrust of police has serious consequences. It destabilizes the validity of law enforcement, and without legitimacy police lose their ability and authority to function successfully.

The question is then how do you gain the trust of the minority community? While there is no true simple solution to winning over the minority communities, there are plenty of things that one can do to bridge the gap.

1. Be genuine with the minority communities that you serve.
2. Understand the culture of the minority communities that you serve. The better you understand and can relate to their culture the more you will gain their trust.
A. Traditions and values will be different, understand them.
B. Vocabulary and language will be different, learn it.
3. Keep your word: Look into it or return a call if you said you would.
4. Be visible in the different parts of your community. Visit, eat and attend events in the different minority communities.
A. Don’t just show up for a photo opportunity or with a news crew.
B. Don’t just show up when incidents happen. Show your face all the time; let the minority community get to know you.
5. If you say, you embrace community policing then make sure the entire department embraces it.
6. Be transparent, not because it is the current trending word, but because that’s who you are. 

This has been the secret to my success and a creed to live by in anyprofession, not just policing. The job of a police chief is not easy by any stretch of the imagination; however, some of us make it harder than it needs to be. Understand that we are all different, but we all just want to be treated with respect. This is the profession we were called into, so no matter how bad things get out there, hold true to your integrity.

Respectfully,

Jesus Eddie Campa
Chief of Police Marshall, Texas

How a Marshall police officer shot me in the neck...By Caleb Brabham

Editor's Note: The following are the thoughts and impressions News Messenger reporter Caleb Brabham had when he endured the same training local police officers face.

It's nighttime and there has been a report of a break-in at a garage. Armed with a Glock, I responded alone.

"Hello," I call as I walk, weapon drawn, into the seemingly-abandoned garage. I hear movement in front of me. "Marshall Police. Come out!"

A few seconds later, a scruffy man climbs up from behind a tool-strewn counter, keeping both of his hands hidden behind the counter.

"Let me see both your hands," I tell him.

"Congratulations," he said. "You busted the guy who works here."

He steps out from the counter, but keeps his right hand hidden behind the counter. I tell him again, "Put both hands in the air."

"Is that necessary?" he asks about my weapon.

"I need you to step around the counter and put both hands in the air," I say.

"I work here," he says.

"I would like to see some identification and I need you to put both hands in the air, sir."

"I got it right here," the man nods to his still-hidden right hand.

"Let me see both your hands. Both your hands. Slowly raise your hands."

Then he draws something out, aimed at me, and we fire at one another. The only difference is … his magazine is filled with staples. I fire another shot before I realize the man is holding a staple gun.

Fortunately, it is only a simulation.

The training

Recently, the Marshall Police Department allowed the Marshall News Messenger to take part in some training exercises undergone by officers.

Marshall police use several methods for training their officers; I partook of only two.

Given increasingly heated tension between law enforcement and the public nationwide, I was interested in seeing the police perspective in interaction with the public in a variety of cases.

In light of the 831 fatal police shootings in 2016, according to the Washington Post as of Nov. 11, I especially wanted to know the tension and the scrutiny law enforcement agents are under when it comes time for them to use their weapon.

The first simulation of the day ends as the scruffy assailant armed with a staplegun absorbs another hit from my Glock. Both the tension and the scrutiny begin.

A computer program, called the virtual simulator, feeding one of 600 scenarios, with a multitude of varying outcomes is projected onto a blank wall at MPD. As the video ends MPD Training Coordinator Lt. Len Ames assess my performance as I lower my airsoft weapon.

"What we're looking for is your reaction," Ames said. "Most people pull the trigger immediately … you are in the vast majority."

The simulation stops and Ames begins to go over the replay of the scenario like a review of an officer's body camera.

"Let's assume the individual is now deceased and at that point in time you have realized that for some reason this gentleman has pulled out a stapler. Can you justify why you fired on him?"

"I gave him several opportunities to put both his hands in the air and slowly at that," I said. "Instead, he pulls out a stapler. Who's going to do that? Pull out a stapler like they're shooting a gun."

"And that quick," Lt. Glen Stone said from behind the computer in agreement. "You got it. A person in his right mind is going to put his hands up."

"We're judged by a reasonability standpoint," Ames said. "That's the standard. Is what he did reasonable and is what you did reasonable?

"We talk about furtive movements. And the way he jerks his hand out, you think how much time am I supposed to wait to see what it is? We could've had him pull the staple gun or a pistol and in that snap second, the officer has to make a decision."

Ames said the scenarios are designed not only to train officers to give proper commands and gauge reactions in a given situation, but also to start conversations between the officer and the trainer.

"With 600 of these scenarios we can run the officer through a whole mess of different things, but I think the most valuable part is the conversations we have; I don't care how accurate you are," Ames said. "You pulled the trigger, so now we can talk about what happened. You may not feel good when you go home that you shot a guy with a staple gun, but there's a piece of you that understands - he didn't give me any choice."

I ask Lt. Ames if he ever had an officer get too trigger-happy.

"I haven't yet found someone that was too overzealous," Ames said. "People are more hesitant than anything. One of the dangers in law enforcement now is people are worried how whatever actions they take are going to be perceived."

Observe and report

Lt. Stone loads another scenario and I’m told not to react only to observe. I'm conducting a traffic stop. The driver, a woman, steps out of the vehicle wearing a bikini and holding her license high in the air.

"Officer, I don't know what I did, but here's my license," she said.

The simulation ends and Ames asks me what I saw.

"There's someone in the car with her," I said pointing to the passenger's side. The individual seems huddled down, like he's hiding. I congratulate myself on a potential danger well-spotted.

But Ames isn't satisfied.

"What we see a lot with officers is they're going to notice there's somebody else in the car. They're also taken aback the girl is wearing a bikini top. Frankly, the men get distracted by it. Watch it again. I want you to look to the door."

The scenario runs again and I watch the door: in the storage pocket of the door is the silver handle of a gun poking out.

"We have run every officer through here. Give or take 50 guys have been run through this. Exactly one male and three females have immediately picked up on there is a gun in the door. This simulation shows you, you have to absorb a lot of information in a short period of time. Your eye tends to be caught by the motion on the glare in the window. It's kind of cheating you because a girl comes out in a bikini showing her license … but it's obvious there's a silver handgun once it's pointed out to you."

The advantages of this system installed in August 2016 are abundant, according to Marshall Police Chief Jesus "Eddie" Campa.

"It's real life training so they feel a little more comfortable since they're being exposed to real life situations without actually being put in a real life situation. It helps build confidence," Campa said. "It gives you that adrenaline rush. You might have seen every scenario before, but there are still six or seven outcomes that can come out of that scenario. I think it's a really great training tool. Sometimes I came out on the short end of the stick, other times I came out on the winning side."

Campa said the simulator was purchased through matching grants, with the MPD putting up $26,000 to purchase a $52,000 machine.

But Ames said, as helpful as the machine is, it might feel a little too safe, requiring the use of other training methods.

Force on Force

For the next training exercise, I'm taken out to MPD's firing range, given protective gear and armed with a Glock that fires paintball-like marker rounds and thrown into a live-action training scenario involving a traffic stop.

Cautiously, I approach a halted vehicle as a part of a routine traffic stop scenario. In my head I rehearse what I'm going to say to the driver as I walk to the open window.

This is when the driver opens fire on me; I am shot in the neck by a marker round. It is my third traffic stop and I'm already dead.

This exercise is regarded by law enforcement as "Forceon Force," a reality based tactical training system that allows officers to practice their engagement in extreme situations such as a traffic stop turned violent with the safety of guns armed with the paintball-like rounds.

"What I just did to you now, I could take you back to the office and show you 10 videos of that," Ames said, leaning out the window of the attacking vehicle parked on the MPD's firing range. "Where a guy is just walking up, it's his 12th stop of the day and he gets right up to the pillar. You can't even see well, but I can watch you in the mirror and stick the gun out without even turning around very much."

Force on Force, Ames said, trains officers in a way the simulator cannot.

"Those are the things we can teach people (through Force on Force)," Lt. Ames said. "Although we can do (some of this) on a simulator. There's no consequences there. It's still helpful. But just because you play some kind of shooter game that doesn't allow you to come out here in real life and be a Navy Seal. When I put you in a scenario where somebody is shooting back at you, I have added another level of stress and uncertainty and you're in a more realistic situation."

Heading back from the firing range, I'm still replaying my death at the traffic stop and remembering the man with the staple gun, placing myself under the scrutiny of the "media."

But I don't know what I could've done differently.

"It seems like a lot of these scenarios you put me through today are no-win scenarios," I said to Ames. "I'm trying to think of ways I could've done better (my first time doing them) - and there's just no way."

Ames laughs kindly and nods his head; that was the point.

"A lot of these situations we are in are no-win situations," Ames said. "It's a different kind of life, I guess. It'snot for everybody and not everybody 

 understands it or wants to understand it … if you stay in it for very long it's a passion and something you want to do."