Police Community Relations Committee to Meet Jan. 25

The next meeting of the Lake Wales Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 at the city administration building, 201 W. Central Ave.

The meeting opens with communications and petitions, a time when citizens may speak about their experiences with the Lake Wales Police Department. Citizens may attend in person, but space is limited and masks are required. People also may join the meeting online and speak by registering at https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/834/Virtual-Public-Meeting-Registration.

The last three meetings have been held in locations throughout the community, but the virtual option has not been available. Various comments and complaints were made at meetings held at the B Street Community Center, IMPACT Church and the Lake Wales Woman's Club.

Also on Monday's agenda is discussion of the police search process, traffic stop process and citizen complaint procedures form.

The newly re-established advisory committee includes five citizens, each appointed by a city commissioner, and Deputy Police Chief Troy Schulze.

The Lake Wales City Commission re-established the committee in August with the following purposes:

- Providing a forum for citizens to express their opinions about police procedures and to receive informal information from the police department regarding police procedures.

- Providing a forum for citizens and the police department to openly and respectfully discuss issues of concern with the hope that concerns can be positively resolved.

- Providing a forum for citizens and the police department to engage in a dialogue that will be positive and productive and that will continue to foster a climate of trust and mutual respect.