SOLON, Ohio — For Courtenay Perkins, law enforcement has always centered on individuals — performing duties with intent, safeguarding with empathy, and gaining confidence through deeds.
Currently, as the new police chief of Solon, he is focusing on developing stronger relationships between officers and the community they protect.
Earlier this month, Perkins took the oath of office in front of Mayor Ed Kraus at a ceremony held at Solon City Hall.
Flanked by municipal officials, council members, and local leaders, he promised to govern with honesty and maintain the city’s dedication to security and public service.
Perkins stated that his reason for joining law enforcement stemmed from a strong admiration for the part that police officers serve in their neighborhoods.
He remembered how the profession’s commitment to duty and service motivated him from the beginning.
“The reason I chose a career in law enforcement is my wish to assist others,” Perkins stated.
I’ve always viewed police officers as real-life heroes. They rush to help whenever needed.
I appreciate the aspect of the job that involves being helpful and the fact that people reach out to me when they need assistance and have nowhere else to go.
He mentioned that his core belief has consistently been putting service above personal interests: “If I am doing that, I am on the correct path.”
As he begins his new position, Perkins mentioned that his initial priority will be to enhance staffing throughout the departments while maintaining quality benchmarks.
“Ensuring that both our patrol division and corrections division are staffed with the most skilled and principled individuals is his top concern,” he stated.
Our divisions are slightly understaffed, and we aim to reach full capacity as soon as possible without sacrificing our quality.
Perkins mentioned that he also intends to enhance Solon’s image regarding community involvement by increasing initiatives that link police officers with local residents.
He particularly wants to concentrate on engaging young people by collaborating with the Solon City Schools.
“We will keep working with our amazing Solon City Schools and the broader community,” he stated.
Strengthening our connection during peaceful and calm periods helps us establish trust and understanding when challenges or difficulties occur — whether they happen or not.
In addition to community collaborations, Perkins admitted that drawing in new personnel continues to be one of the most difficult obstacles confronting contemporary law enforcement.
He aims to change the conversation about police by emphasizing the beneficial roles officers play daily.
We should promote the positive aspects of entering this field,” he stated. “We have been visiting colleges, job fairs, and utilizing both traditional and social media to share the message.
Perkins stated that maintaining staff and employee satisfaction will be equally significant focuses.
He is convinced that providing training, resources, and attention to emotional well-being enables officers to operate at their highest level and deliver professional service to the public.
“The more skilled, knowledgeable, and well-prepared an officer is, the more effectively they carry out their duties with quality and professionalism,” he stated.
Training is the way we reach our goal.
In the future, Perkins aims to introduce new community engagement activities that allow residents to interact with officers in casual, family-oriented environments.
Some of the initiatives include “Hoops with Heroes,” “Cornhole with Cops,” and a kids’ fishing event—programs he thinks can enhance connections and foster trust.
“All of these initiatives foster connections and demonstrate that the police are an integral part of the community they support,” he stated.
To enhance communication and ease of access, Perkins is also looking into technological improvements, such as a Solon Police mobile application.
The tool would enable residents to remain updated on events, submit reports more conveniently, and communicate directly with officers.
“This offers greater convenience for the individual being reported and may lead to a more effective distribution of police resources,” Perkins stated.
The application will enable officers to obtain the necessary details to complete the report and communicate with the resident, while continuing to focus on preventive patrols.
Perkins mentioned that another priority will involve broadening initiatives related to mental health and substance abuse support.
He is convinced that police departments are essential in linking community members with assistance and support.
“Solon PD is committed to doing everything possible to assist in lowering crime and the adverse impacts that mental health crises and substance abuse have on our community, via early actions,” he stated.
As he envisions what lies ahead, Perkins stated that his approach to leadership is based on collaboration, honesty, and a compassionate spirit.
His objective is to enable officers to perform at their highest level while making sure the community feels secure, assisted, and engaged.
“I desire that my influence or memory is that I looked after my team, and as a group, we looked after our community,” he stated.
I desire for our community to serve as a secure environment where individuals feel a sense of connection with their law enforcement officers, where trust and assistance are strong because they have been rightfully gained.
Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
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