WEST VALLEY CITY — Judy Ferrell has lived in West Valley for 29 years, since before the city was incorporated.
She knows the area has a rough reputation, made worse by recent procedural violations in the city's police department, the unresolved mystery of Susan Cox Powell's disappearance and the officer-involved shooting death of 21-year-old Danielle Willard.
But as Ferrell visited happily at Monday's kickoff event for the National Night Out Against Crime campaign, she shared her confidence and respect for the smiling officers who greeted groups as they entered.
"I know the West Valley police took kind of a tough rap there for a while, but I'm looking at these clean-cut guys over there … and I think I can trust them," she said.
An appreciative crowd gathered as human and canine partners from the K-9 unit put on a demonstration, watching as a police vehicle with lights and sirens blaring chased down a rogue minivan with a few officers posing as "bad guys" inside.
When one of the officers emerged decked in a protective suit and tried to run, the crowd oohed and ahhed as one of the dogs took him sharply to the ground. Another dog was brought out to locate a handgun that fired a few blanks and was tossed into the grass.
Children rushed forward to dote upon Copper, a bloodhound with a talented nose who sniffed out an officer fleeing into some nearby brush during the demonstration.
But even amidst the happy crowd, a few disparaging whispers could be heard, evidence the department hasn't yet shaken its black mark.
The nationwide Night Out event is meant to unite law enforcement agencies with the members of their communities, a one-on-one interaction that West Valley City interim police chief Anita Schwemmer sees as vital to officers and residents alike.
With the department's history, "it's even more important," she said.
"I think if they can put a face to these police officers and understand the issues that we've had were really just a few officers, and the rest of the officers that serve this community do such a terrific job, they're so professional," Schwemmer said. "They got into law enforcement because they want to serve their community in a meaningful way."
Neighborhood block parties will spring up across the nation and in West Valley on Tuesday night, and each gathering here will get a visit from a West Valley officer, Schwemmer said. Residents will get a chance to introduce themselves and voice any concerns they face in their neighborhood.
As people have talked to her, the feedback has been encouraging, she said, and residents have shared their enthusiasm for a new police chief and changes they have seen in the department over the past few months.
Likewise, officers in West Valley are looking forward to the announcement of who their new chief will be.
"We're all excited as a department to have that new chief here and to move forward and be a better department," Schwemmer said. "There's always room to improve."
Kevin Dellinger is a West Valley native and father of one of the K-9 cops who helped with the demonstration. Another son is training to become a police officer. He was quick to point out Monday how proud the family is of the two men.
Dellinger said he hopes the public will come to appreciate the dangerous nature of the job his sons have chosen, despite the "black eye" on the department.
"It was certain officers. They abused the system, and good, they got caught," he said.
Going forward, Dellinger said he hopes there will be more oversight in the department to prevent future problems.
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