Greenwood's newly appointed police chief, Henry Harris, says his personal philosophy is to treat others the way he expects to be treated.
This has earned him both friends and enemies throughout his 24-year career in law enforcement, he said Wednesday night at the Greenwood Voters League.
Greenwood Mayor Harry Smith appointed Harris, and he was confirmed by the city council Tuesday. He succeeds long-time chief Ronnie White, who retired June 30.
Harris, 50, said he would like to improve the image of the police department and begin mentoring children.
"We're not just the people who read the rights, handcuff and arrest people. We do that because someone broke the law," he said.
Many people have asked Harris if he is ready to take the position. "I don't set myself up for failure. I wouldn't have accepted this position if I didn't think I could do it," he said.
Over his career, Harris has worked as a traffic cop and patrol officer. He moved through the ranks to shift captain, then deputy chief. As deputy chief, Harris performed the working operations of the station. As chief, he will work the administrative duties.
Harris said he has begun taking stock of the inventory at the police station, and he is impressed with all the technology available. One of his goals is to train more officers in its use.
"This will make the department more efficient. It will save time writing reports and give more time to be on the streets," Harris said.
He would also like to equip squad cars with laptop computers. Harris acknowledges the enormous cost of such a project, but said Smith is receptive to the idea. Harris said part of the cost could be offset by Homeland Security grants.
Harris said he has an open door policy with the community, and any suggestions for the department's benefit will be considered and discussed.
"Everything will be based on the law of the land and well thought out. I will stand behind each decision 100 percent," he said.
Barbara Gray, a nurse, business owner and Greenwood School Board member, asked if there were any requirements for officers to live within the city limits.
Harris responded that there is no requirement for officers to live within the city or even the county.
"If residency requirements were enforced, it would significantly affect our work force. If in the event of an emergency, officers can respond in time, that's good enough for me," Harris said.
Greenwood Fire Chief Larry Griggs, who also spoke Tuesday, said the same thing applied to the Fire Department.
Concerned citizens asked about a city curfew that is supposed to keep minors off the streets after 11 p.m.
Harris said officers became discouraged and discontinued the reinforcement after a youth court judge rarely reinforced these arrests. When pressed to give a name or when the judge served, Harris declined to identify the judge.
Harris also addressed concerns about the assignment of black officers in white neighborhoods and vice versa.
The supervisors who assign the officers each day are all black, he said. Officers of both races have been serving in north and south Greenwood for quite some time, he said.
Wayne Self, district 4 supervisor, asked where Harris got his nickname, "Dirty Harry."
Harris replied he is not entirely sure where it came from, but his reputation should be considered, "firm not mean."
Griggs said in his speech that he encourages his firefighters to develop their minds. "I don't believe you can learn without venturing out and learning from other people. I want my firefighters to explore new horizons, if I can borrow a line from Star Trek," Griggs said.
Griggs said the Fire Department once was a running joke at training camps. Now, he said, "Greenwood has more firefighters finishing first or second than any other department in the state."
Griggs gave an update on the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Center in Greenville, which is threatening to close July 31.
The center remains open only on private donations and needs $4 million to stay open this year, he said. The center loses that amount each year because of the large number of indigent patients admitted, according to Griggs. What the center really needs, he said, is state funding.
