Accountability Is Not Optional: Building Trust Through Real Police Reform in Fayetteville
Accountability Is Not Optional: Building Trust Through Real Police Reform in Fayetteville
In 2020, a group of Fayetteville community leaders—activists, clergy, and residents—sent a powerful message to city committees: the people demand police reform, transparency, and accountability. That call wasn’t about division; it was about healing and rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
As someone who has spent more than a decade advocating for justice through Fayetteville PACT (Police Accountability Community Taskforce), I know firsthand that true safety begins with trust. When that trust is broken, our entire community suffers.
The ABC11 article “Fayetteville Leaders Send Police Reform Demands to Committees” captured a pivotal moment when residents stood up and said, “Enough.” Those demands ranging from revising police oversight structures to improving transparency in investigations weren’t radical ideas. They were reasonable steps toward fairness and safety for all.
Since that day, I’ve continued to push for those same principles:
✅ Independent audits and public reporting on police conduct
✅ Community Safety Sessions where residents and officers collaborate directly
✅ A commitment to training, transparency, and accountability — not just in words, but in practice
As a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and lifelong advocate, I understand structure, discipline, and duty. But I also understand that real leadership means listening to the people you serve. Reform doesn’t weaken our police — it strengthens our city by creating systems where good officers are supported and bad practices are corrected.
We can’t afford to let this conversation fade. The work of reform isn’t about politics; it’s about people. It’s about mothers who want their children to come home safe, officers who want to serve with honor, and residents who deserve respect no matter their zip code.
In Fayetteville, we can model what balanced, community-driven public safety looks like — one rooted in accountability, compassion, and partnership. Together, we can build a future where every resident feels safe and every officer feels supported.
Because accountability isn’t optional — it’s essential.
