Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar is launching a unique 'Community and Internal Liaison Program' to reach out to a dozen 'specific communities' across the county, from the military to LGBTQ to Muslims and Christians, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Salazar says the goal is to get everybody in the county on the side of law enforcement, which will make it easier to not only fight crime but to reduce levels of crime.
"With the victim of a crime, you may get one shot to make a good first impression," he said. "To convince them that we are no threat to you, and we want to help you with your case."
Designated Liaison Deputies will establish relationships with various groups of individuals in the county, from racial groups like Hispanics, African Americans, Indians, and othr Asians, to senior citizens, special needs individuals and the military.
Salazar points out that many of the groups he hopes to reach out to are immigrants from places were the police aren't necessarily on the side of the people.
"Quite frankly, in some parts of the world, if you get a knock at the door in the middle of the night from the police, and people may never see you again."
Salazar says the liaison deputies will also help with recruiting. He says it helps to have a law enforcement team which is as much like the people they protect and serve as possible.