A Canceled Meeting Speaks Volumes

On May 13th, my sister and I attended Coffee with a Cop – an event where officers engage with residents to ‘build trust and improve relationships with the community.’ It was there that the Chief of Police himself agreed to meet with me to discuss my son's case. I left that event with the hope that perhaps, finally, genuine dialogue would happen. I patiently waited for two weeks, preparing for our meeting scheduled for yesterday morning, May 27th. But on Monday afternoon, a mere day before the anticipated meeting, I received an email from the Chief. He canceled due to a last-minute appointment and said his staff will reschedule with me.

My immediate response was one of understanding. I replied timely on Monday, informing the Chief I was available throughout yesterday afternoon and even providing my phone number for quicker communication. I woke up yesterday morning, however, to silence. No response.

So I called his office to ask about his availability in the afternoon. The staff member said she would call me back. Three hours passed. Still nothing. I called again. This time, after checking with her supervisor, the response was that he was unavailable in the afternoon and was booked all week. I reiterated my situation, even offering to meet after 5 p.m. Again, silence. No response. No offer of a rescheduled time for this week. Just a brick wall of unavailability.

Let's circle back to Coffee with a Cop, the event designed to foster community trust. Despite patiently waiting for answers for two years, one month, and twelve days, I extended that patience for another two weeks for this promised meeting. I offered the courtesy of a timely and flexible response. Yet, I couldn't even receive the basic courtesy of a rescheduled time this week.

The irony is glaring. How can trust be built when a direct commitment from the Chief of Police can be revoked? How can relationships improve when communication ceases after a one-day cancellation notice? 

Coffee with a Cop attempted to encourage meaningful public engagement, but trust isn't brewed over a single cup. It's built on actions, on follow-through, on respect for a community member's time and concerns. A canceled meeting speaks volumes far louder than any well-intentioned community outreach program could. It tells us that the appearance of engagement is prioritized over the substance of accountability. 

This meeting was about a life, a life that ended in an undetermined manner of death. Chief, I ask you – if it were your child, what would you do? Would you be satisfied with silence? Would you accept undetermined as the final word? We’re not asking for anything other than your responsibility – to seek answers, pursue truth, and treat my son’s life as one that mattered.