Being a spokesman for a law enforcement agency means you are the one most often identified with anything that department does—good or bad. It was Sgt. Trent Crump’s job with the Phoenix Police Department for more than eight years. He’s been with the department for a total of 30 years. Sergeant Crump hangs his badge up for good this week as he retires from the force.
He spoke with The Show's Steve Goldstein about his 30-year career.
On body cameras:
“I believe that one of our key roles in this, as the police department, when we’re investigating crimes is to protect the victims to protect the witnesses. It’s to protect suspects pre-arrest in cases as well.”
“There’s a balance between the public’s desire to know, the need to know, those things that some may want to know, but is it affecting these other people?”
“As the victim of the crime, when you call the police, is it your intention that we bring the media with us?”
On the police spokesperson's role:
“When I tell people that I’ve never had anyone tell me what to say, I don't’ know that some of them believe me.”
“From the day that Chief Jack Harris brought me into the job as the spokesperson for the agency, it was very clear the issue was tell the truth. It’s very simple.”
On what police officer’s need most:
“I think the public trust in the police is crucial and I think that we need to have it and I think that we do here in Phoenix."
