We are proud of the strong relationships we have forged with our community members here in Pinal County. But we know that does not mean the work is done. We are taking this time in our American history to come together to ensure all our residents are always treated with dignity and respect.”

PCSO Sheriff Mark Lamb

Sheriff Mark Lamb and other Pinal County Sheriff’s Office leaders, along with other Pinal County department representatives, recently sat down with black and Hispanic community leaders to discuss how they can improve service to all residents. 

Others at the June 8 meeting included Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer, Supervisor Pete Rios, Supervisor Mike Goodman, District 8 Rep. David Cook, Florence Police Chief Bruce Walls, Superior Police Chief Frank Alanis, Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney and others, according to a release.

The open forum meeting had no schedule and was led by residents speaking from the heart, the release states.

A video of a portion of the meeting is at  youtu.be/q0U8lksDnDs.

For nearly four hours, the group discussed the issues that have come between law-enforcement and the community, and how we may begin to overcome those.

"We are proud of the strong relationships we have forged with our community members here in Pinal County. But we know that does not mean the work is done. We are taking this time in our American history to come together to ensure all our residents are always treated with dignity and respect," Sheriff Lamb said in the release. "I feel everyone who was a part of this meeting walked away with a better understanding of the struggles and obstacles our neighbors and our law enforcement deal with every day."

But simply talking is not the end of the commitment to the people of Pinal County, according to the release.

"We are taking their thoughts and recommendations to heart, and promise to use this information to make Pinal County an even better place to call home," the release states.