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SLCPD BWC Video Highlights Community-Oriented Policing

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) released body-worn camera video that exemplifies the principles of community-oriented policing.

“This is community-oriented policing at its finest,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. “This interaction highlights the time our officers take to build and maintain a personal level of trust with the community we serve. I’m proud of the officers in this video. They have demonstrated themselves as approachable and caring members of our city’s public safety network and they represent the values of our police department to the fullest.”

The video starts shortly after the two officers – on April 28, 2023 – responded to help South Salt Lake Police (SSLPD) investigate a road-rage incident.

As a SLCPD officer and a SSLPD officer spoke with a witness, four young girls – all in elementary or middle school – approached a second SLCPD officer on scene.

The officer handed out SLCPD stickers and for more than 20 minutes had a wide-ranging conversation about his job and duties as a police officer.

Although most of the conversation was light-hearted, some of the girls talked about the troubles they had gone through at different stages in life, including talking about the loss of family members. During the conversation, one of the girls challenged the officer to a race in the parking lot.

Once the first officer finished the investigation with the SSLPD, the two officers – wearing full police gear – discussed who would run against the girls in the 80-degree plus weather.

One of the girls suggested the officers play a game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to settle the debate.

Ultimately, both officers raced with the girls. Despite a strong sprinting start from the girls, the officers closed the gap and took the lead. The officer who had been talking with the girls from the start took home bragging rights from the race.

The officers stayed on scene with the girls – for about 10 more minutes – as everyone cooled down. The officers continued talking with the girls and answering their questions. While doing so, the girls had the officers roast – in good spirits – each other with jokes the girls provided.

“These two officers could have ended their time with these young community members by simply saying hi or handing out stickers and calling it good, but they went above and beyond and formed memories with our community’s youth that will last a lifetime,” said Chief Mike Brown. “Community-based policing is centered around engaging with our community beyond responding to calls for service and that’s what this video shows.”

To view and download the video, please click the photo below or this link.

1 – A screen capture from an SLCPD officer’s body-worn camera showing an officer finishing a race (Salt Lake City Police Department photo | June 9, 2023).

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