Argus Reporter
When Pat Norris was a girl growing up in Winston-Salem in the segregated 1950s and ’60s, her grandmother taught her to obey the law and trust the police. It is advice that Norris took to heart, and advice that she reflected upon when sworn in last month as Winston-Salem’s new police chief. Norris, 49, is the first African-American woman to hold this top position. “My grandmother always taught us to obey the law, to be able to call upon the police officers for help and to be able to trust the police,” Norris said, during a telephone interview. She added that one of her goals as police chief will be to instill within the general public the kind of faith and trustfulness that her grandmother possessed. “I see improving relationships with the people of the community, whether perceived or not,” she said. “I feel all citizens should have the right to talk to officials without fear or apprehension.” Norris’ appointment comes less than a month after the release of Darryl Hunt, who served 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Hunt’s case divided many people in the city along racial lines . Norris said one of her priorities is to hold community meetings, where city residents will have an opportunity to discuss the case and its effect on race relations in the city and appropriate behavior for police officers. “Checks and balances are already in place,” Norris said. “We train officers and hold them accountable for inappropriate behavior. “Other officers who witness unruly behavior according to the standard division investigation are not obligated to notify a chain of command,” Norris said. There are programs and procedures in place to tackle these issues, Norris said. For example, The Forsyth County Police Department has a national accredited program that incorporates rules and proper procedures for officers to attain against such public action. The North Standard Division Investigation encourages citizens to contact officials with complaints through an open ear policy. A citizens’ review board is provided for officers and high ranking officials to view all alleged complaints against an officer. Norris describes her job as rewarding and challenging. “It’s a challenge to work with the public but the greatest challenge is working with yourself. “Don’t limit your possibilities and accept the unknown because it will open doors to opportunities you had no idea will be available to you.”