User:Dicks1dr/sandbox

Biography Former Chief of Police, David R. Dicks grew up in Flint, Michigan where he first learned that he was public servant and leader. Dicks served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Navy and quickly made rank. Acquiring the pin of an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), he was recruited by the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS or NIS) to perform drug interdiction stops. Some service men and women were involved in trafficking and using drugs. The secret operation nearly cost him his life. Near the end of his enlisted obligation of service (EOS), he was able to convince his superiors that his life was in danger. He survived and was honorably discharged with medals and ribbons for his service obligation. But he acquired a mild or moderate case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

David R. Dicks returned to his home and begin working for the Flint Police Department. He was recognized for report writing, organizing urban block clubs and crime watch groups to lower crime, build self-efficacy, and strong community police relations. Dicks received the city’s community/police relations award in 2004-2005. Dicks continued his work with communities and with neighborhood organizations as he helped them develop self-efficacy. Although certain forces fought against his community oriented policing philosophy, he endured as he wrote and published numerous books: First Line of Defense “A citizens guide to police and the law” 1st edition & 2nd edition; followed by Officer Down “Disorder Before Death.” Also, Poverty Cops “Inner Darkness” and Beyond Stress “Ingredients to Living Powerfully” in 2007. Throughout the years Dicks worked with the Eastern District of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Federal WEED/SEED task forces. He was a DOJ Mentor, who trained youth groups about violence and behavior modification techniques. Chief Dicks was the first official to speak out against "saggy pants" indecent exposure to curb violent crimes against officers, and promote a non-gang related atmosphere.

Dicks was eventually promoted to Police Inspector and later appointed as Chief of Police of the Flint Police Department. His community police philosophy continued with improved ways of fighting crime. Portable Operating Camera Systems (PODS), and Crime Eye was installed after communicating with the Department of Justice – Community Police Consortium Director. The National Block Club Association was instituted and crime and violence was reduced in Flint, which was dubbed the most violent city in America according to the FBI Uniform Crime Report. His strong stance on crime and his uncompromising strategy – which interrupted the underworld, undermined police corruption, drug sales, & drug houses causing some in the law enforcement community to become angry. Dicks later retired in 2009 after his controversial efforts of cleaning up crime affected the underworld. He is qualified to write on the issue because he has been on both sides of the law.

This latest book, Hands-Up America “A guide to community/police relations” was written after the recent issues in 2014 – shootings and murdering of unarmed Black men, and the serial events of other police misconduct practices. The book was published in 2015. His purpose is to get citizens educated on how their behavior can positively or negatively impact police actions or in-actions. Finally, the book suggest strategies that are needed to improve community/police relations, including police training, self-efficacy of individuals and communities, and the need to deal with “mental health” and police PTSD. Building trust between community groups, individuals and their police agency is essential for both the community and police. Dicks created, wrote and filmed the motion picture Poverty Cops "Inner Darkness". A motion picture (low budget) movie titled Poverty Cops was filmed and produced in Flint, Michigan in 2014. The purpose of the film was to educate and inform the police and public on the seriousness of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) regarding first responders.