Page Police encourages public interaction

Communication with the community helps suppress crime.

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The Page Police Department is a community resource and like any civic department they strive to make themselves available to the people they protect, said Page Police Chief Frank Balkcom.
Even in a small community like our own, communication with, and trust from, the community which they serve makes the police force all the more effective.
The Page Police Dept. make themselves available through many different modes of communication to help foster those important community relationships.  Checking in with the Page Police Dept. can be as simple as a phone call for both emergencies and non-emergency situations.  They can be reached through other means, too.   Email, social media, and walk-in visits are all welcomed and helpful to the mission of Page’s finest, said Chief Balkcom.
Chief Balkcom practices an open-door policy where anyone needing to speak to him is invited to sit and discuss the matters at hand.  In his experience, the policy facilitates communication and positive rapport.  Not only does Chief Balkcom stand firm in his efforts to protect the community but to remind the individuals in the community their voices are important.
“Page Police Department is a reflection of the Page community,” he said. “We focus on home town heroes. We know that the town has entrusted their safety with us and we don’t take that lightly. We are here for our people. We are public servants and hopefully we are doing a good job. If we are not; we want to know how we can improve.”

Prior to moving to Page, Chief Balkcom lived in Glendale, Ariz.  and he’s celebrating 40 years in law enforcement and his fourth year working alongside and leading the Page Police Department.  
“I have had the privilege and the opportunity to work many assignments within my law enforcement career,” Balkcom said, “and one of the greatest things I’ve learned is that in order for you to be successful you have to engage with your community.”
Chief Balkcom highlights the relationship with the Park Service and Navajo Nation as two leading factors to Page Police Department’s success. Because of that relationship the Page Police Department is able to do their job using fewer resources than larger departments.
Throughout his tenure in Page, Chief Balkcom has seen first-hand the challenges that come with a rapidly growing community combined with the unique circumstances of living in a very remote region.
Chief Balkcom says he and his team of officers get their motivation to serve the community because Page is home to their family and friends.
The public has several upcoming opportunities where they can meet and interact with Page Police officers.
One of the Police Deptartment’s regular opportunities to meet and mingle with the public is their Coffee with a Cop, which happens every three months.
The Page Police Dept. is also hosting National Night Out on Aug. 1, which is held at Page City Park beginning at 5PM. Attendance is strongly encouraged as this is primarily a time for the Page Police Department and other partnering organizations to highlight information about drugs and violence and educate on safety tips.
Guests that attend will not only receive important safety information but also a tour of law enforcement equipment.
Communication and discussion are encouraged at these events