Troy's Police Department Sets the Standard in Communication
Vol. III, No. 124 - Police Department Communicates with Dignity and Respect
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There is one thing that becomes obvious when we see our local Police Department doing their jobs, it’s work that constantly requires communication in every interaction. Police officers are always talking and listening in high-tension situations; from dealing with individuals getting a traffic ticket to people that are victims of crime and every type of situation that might arrive.
And one way that the Troy Police Department does an amazing job communicating is in their social media presence. Their social media pages allow residents to comment and often asks residents to help; the department spends time not just regurgitating facts, but they do a solid job of trying to educate the community. The department treats residents as partners in creating a safer community. It is a refreshing departure from what residents usually see on social media from local government. A recent exchange on social media has given our residents a window into how the city’s police department communicates about difficult community issues.
The discussion began with a frustrated resident posting in a city group about seeing a homeless individual near a local McDonald’s. The commenter questioned whether the city truly cares about people in need, writing that civic leaders appear focused on infrastructure projects while those without homes are being ignored. The post expressed compassion for the man after the writer purchased him breakfast, but overall carried a tone of frustration and disappointment with city government.
The Troy Police Department chose not to ignore this public complaint. Instead, the department responded directly in the comment thread with a full and thoughtful explanation of how they were actually addressing the situation. Their message stood out not simply because it corrected a misperception, but because it did so in a clear, professional, and deeply human way.
The department began by stating they had been in regular contact with the individual, assuring residents that the man was not being overlooked. They explained that their officers were actively encouraging him to accept available social service connections. Importantly, they acknowledged the limits of their authority: while they can extend offers of shelter and assistance, they cannot legally require someone to accept it. In a culture where quick action is often demanded, the police reminded readers that the law requires due process and respect for individual freedom.
This point was reinforced in their careful outline of Ohio’s involuntary mental health rules. Officers may only initiate a three-day evaluation if someone poses an immediate risk to themselves or others, and even then a medical professional must confirm that risk. This explanation cut through common assumptions without being defensive. It was a candid sharing of the legal framework that governs their work. For an issue often clouded with emotion, the police department managed to present the policy clearly and accessibly.
What made the post stand out, though, was not just its clarity but its tone. The department emphasized that experiencing homelessness is not a crime. They assured readers that every person, no matter their circumstances, deserves constitutional rights and basic respect. They acknowledged that when violations of law occur—such as camping in a city park—the department’s first move is not to arrest but to issue a warning and provide an opportunity for compliance. Arrest is a true last resort. In a few paragraphs, the police offered a public lesson in patience, compassion, and fairness, while also asserting their role in protecting the community.
Communications of this quality are worth crediting. Too often, local governments leave residents to guess at how decisions are made or why certain outcomes happen. Frustration fills the gaps. In Troy, the police have shown an ability to lean into these moments instead of avoiding them. Their response to this social media claim was not reactive or defensive. It was steady, informative, and respectful. It placed the actions of the department in context while signaling empathy for both the homeless individual and the concerned citizen who raised the issue.
At a time when confidence in all levels of government is strained, communications like this demonstrate that trust can be rebuilt through openness. Roads and infrastructure projects may dominate city hall debates, but the real measure of civic leadership is often revealed in how institutions treat the most vulnerable. On that score, the Troy Police Department gave the public a reminder that clear communication and genuine humanity are not mutually exclusive. They belong together.
For residents looking for the most transparent voice from city government, it is increasingly obvious that the police department is providing that voice. In their willingness to address concerns directly, engage residents on social media and explain the reasoning behind their actions, they set a standard other departments in city government would be wise to emulate.
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