Chandler Police Chief wants to keep dialogue with protesters open

PHOENIX -– As protests continue around the Valley, Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said he’s impressed with how Chandler residents continue to peacefully protest.

“The majority of folks there were relatively young and to watch them demonstrate and use their constitutional right to protest and do it in a safe and law-abiding way, it was an example for other cities around the country to use,” Duggan told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.

On Thursday, Duggan heard that protesters would be making their way to police headquarters, so he met them outside.

“We were able to have an open flow of dialogue, and that was so critically important, and I was able to express to them how as the police chief, but also as a resident here in the city of Chandler, how absolutely thrilled and impressed I was of them,” Duggan said.

Duggan said he marched along the demonstrators because they all want justice and equality. As part of the Chandler Police Department, Duggan said they’re everyone’s police, and they have to make sure the service they give is level and fair.

“What we’ve seen play out in our community is that for decades, we have a philosophy in this city, this police department, that we’re only as successful as the level of trust and support and respect that we receive from our community and that has to be earned every single day.”

Duggan said it’s important to keep the dialogue open because it helps to continue the trust between the community and the police department.

“To have that healthy dialogue is very important,” Duggan said. “There’s so many opportunities moving forward to continue that. I don’t see that as a one-off event, this will open doors and I encourage people to be involved and be engaged.”

He encourages people to be part of the change they want to see, whether that’s protesting or even joining to the police force.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.

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