Chief Brooks Goes Old School-And New School!

Norwood Police Chief William G. Brooks III has one clear goal each day: to connect with the community.
With more than 40 years of policing under his belt, Brooks said his outlook and style have evolved since beginning his career in Westford four decades ago. These days, he is less about chasing folks down, and more about welcoming people to come to him.
“Back when I started, I didn’t like walking a beat,” Chief Brooks said. “I wanted to drive, catch criminals - that sort of thing. I’ve learned over the years you can accomplish more by talking to people and getting a sense of what bothers them.”
Brooks worked in Norwood for 18 years before spending more than a decade serving as the deputy chief in Wellesley. In May of 2012, he was sworn in as Norwood’s chief. Since then, he has made it a point to become a recognizable figure in town, which he said has allowed members of the community to feel more comfortable coming to him with any issues. The best way to connect..walking the beat!
“I made the decision to wear a uniform every day, which is the same way I expect my officers to dress,” Chief Brooks said. “I walk the beat because I want people to see me, and feel like they know me, because they see me around all the time. People will often tell you things when they see you around that they wouldn’t necessarily call to report.”
Brooks added that he has instilled the importance of walking the beat within each officer on the department, and that all officers on cruiser patrol also have to do foot patrol during their shifts.
“I want everyone to know, or at least feel like they know, someone on the police department,” Chief Brooks said. “As a department, we want people to feel comfortable with and not fearful of police presence. This style of policing isn’t about me; it’s how we operate, and I get complimented on my officers all the time.”
Another way Brooks connects with the community is through social media - namely, Facebook and Twitter. Brooks said social media is just another way to effectively reach out to those who have concerns.
“Social media is almost the same theme as walking the beat,” Chief Brooks said. “It’s a means of communicating with the public. I think public debate is good, so sometimes I will sit back and let it happen, but now and again I will weigh in and let people know what’s going on to set their minds at ease.”
For Brooks, it’s all about making the community comfortable enough to come forward with their concerns, and ridding people of any underlying fear they may have of the police. At this point, he feels the outreach provided by the department has been well-received.
“I think people in the community respect the level of service we are providing,” Chief Brooks concluded.