Foundation designed to help police communicate more with citizens
Scott Sewell, WSPF President
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
The new Winston-Salem Police Foundation is part of Chief Barry Rountree’s three-year plan to create organizations that will provide tools, training, and technology programs for citizens as well as the police department, The Chronicle has learned.
The Winston-Salem Police Foundation (WSPF) was founded in May of last year and is designed to provide funding that can be used for mentoring programs and community outreach events, as well as a police athletic league.
The foundation will also provide funds for recognizing police achievements and provide additional training for officers that will focus on public safety. The WSPF held its first official board meeting recently. WSPF President Scott Sewell said that when Rountree approached him with the opportunity last year, he was excited to help. Sewell is the vice president for technology acquisitions and development at Cook Medical, a medical device manufacturer. He also serves on a number of boards, including the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Winston-Salem Alliance, and N.C. Chamber of Commerce, to name a few. According to Sewell, the foundation will have a positive impact on the community and also the police department.
Sewell said, “Community partnerships are critical to enhancing relationships between residents and the police.”
“In today’s world, this is something very positive in our community,” he continued. “Police officers, firefighters and first responders have a tough job; they put their life on the line every day.’’
During an interview with The Chronicle, Sewell mentioned the foundation has already received high praise from a number of elected officials, including Mayor Allen Joines and Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian Burke. Sewell said he is excited and ready to get to work improving the lives of the people in the community.
Assistant Police Chief Catrina Thompson, who is a familiar presence at community meetings held throughout the city, said police officers can’t do their jobs without the help of the community.
“We have to work together,” she said during a promo-tion ceremony held last month.
“That’s why we have to communicate with the people in the community as much as possible to build that relationship.”
For more information on the foundation, contact Scott Sewell at scott.sewell@cookmedical.com or PO Box 24011, Winston-Salem , NC 27114.
