“The Current Evolution of Law Enforcement” presented by Pullman and WSU police chiefs at WSU Common Reading Event, Oct. 21

Pullman, Wash. – Pullman Chief of Police Gary Jenkins and Washington State University Chief of Police Bill Gardner will present “The Current Evolution of Law Enforcement” on Wed., Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) room 203. The public is welcome at this free event hosted by the Common Reading Program.

Gardner and Jenkins will discuss how law enforcement continuously evolves to meet societal needs and demands. Following a short history of law enforcement since the 1992 Rodney King riots, the police leaders will talk about current events that have made international news, including the roles played by technology, training, and philosophy in law enforcement.

Gardner has been the executive director of public safety and WSU police chief since 2008. A Pullman native, he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at WSU. Gardner has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience.

Jenkins was appointed as Pullman chief of police in 2010. Jenkins worked for the Claremont Police Department in California for more than 30 years. He’s a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the California Police Officer Standards and Training Command College.

Now in its ninth year, WSU’s Common Reading Program introduces students in first-year classes to an academic dialogue around a single book. The 2015-16 book is Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. The program also hosts lectures, film showings, and other events to explore topics in the book. Stevenson will visit Pullman to deliver the annual Common Reading Invited Lecture on Dec. 1 at Beasley Coliseum.

MEDIA: Karen Weathermon, WSU Common Reading Program co-director, WSU Undergraduate Education, 509-335-5488, weathermon@wsu.edu

Emma Epperly, Communications and Marketing Junior Assistant, WSU Undergraduate Education, 509-335-9458, UCHCCommMar.5@wsu.edu