THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Barrow discussed Sunday’s protest/walk through downtown Henderson, a response, in part, to the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died during an incident with law enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.

Following days of both orderly protests and violent riots and looting throughout the country, Barrow reported that Sunday’s local gathering was both “peaceful and productive.”

Barrow estimated 30-40 Henderson residents participated in the protest, including local community leaders Kendrick Vann, director of the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department; Lt. Jessica West, Henderson Police Department; Sara Coffey, Henderson Mayor Pro Tem; and Henderson City Council Members Melissa Elliott and Marion Williams.

“These community members came out yesterday to engage with the group, to engage our youth in conversation,” said Barrow. “We walked around downtown peacefully and talked and held a conversation the entire time. I think it was very productive.”

When asked to elaborate on their discussions, Barrow said, “We talked about history and where we are today. We talked about the incident in Minnesota. We talked about the right way of doing things and the wrong way of doing things. They were receptive to what we had to say and I feel like we were open to what they wanted to talk about and their opinions. We agreed on the majority of the things we discussed.”

According to Barrow, during the protest, phone numbers were exchanged and dates were scheduled for further discussions “among some Henderson residents whose paths had never crossed before.”

Barrow said some participants asked him if there were any fundamental changes he would like to see in law enforcement. “I told them ‘absolutely,'” he said. “As a nation, I think there are some fundamental changes we need to make to our hiring process and the way we operate.”

While currently a voluntary measure, Barrow said one thing he’d like to see is more law enforcement agencies become a part of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). According to Barrow, the Henderson Police Department is a CALEA participant with the next closest accredited departments being Durham and Raleigh.

“CALEA provides police departments and sheriff’s departments alike with opportunities to have up-to-date policies and best practices,” explained Barrow.

For those planning future protests or demonstrations in Henderson, Barrow said the proper procedure is to contact the HPD at (252) 431-4141 to file the required paperwork.

To hear the interview with Barrow in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.