New PTC Chief Moon sets community involvement goals

Peachtree City Police Chief Janet Moon has been on the job for just over a week. Commenting on her new job, Moon on Monday said she is holding to the posture of listening to members of the police department and to citizens for next several months as she expands the department’s involvement in the community.

Those who expected significant changes right out of the starting gate will likely be disappointed. With that in mind, Moon said the idea is to have the department become more involved with the community and with community policing.

Beyond the emergency calls that every law enforcement agency receives, Moon said she wants the department to increase its focus on some of the issues that arise in a community, issues that are not always directly related to crime.

“I want people to call us because they want us there and the services we provide. A lot of our job deals with quality of life. We can refer those (issues and questions) that arise to the proper resource. We can be the conduit,” she said.

Another part of Moon’s efforts with the department will be in training.

“We’re looking at the training and education (opportunities) afforded to officers, and we’re looking at succession training. We see some inefficiencies in the processes and we can address those,” Moon said without specifying her perspective on those inefficiencies. “We’re moving forward.”

Commenting on her ongoing introduction to the community, Moon said she visits different areas in Peachtree City each day.

Moon before starting the job clarified her take on community policing and community involvement.

“I believe in community policing,” said Moon. “(Community policing) is community partnership and problem-solving. Without problem-solving you have community relations.”

Moon arrived in Peachtree City with a 30-year history in law enforcement and four years in the U.S. Army Military Police Force. She served 12 years in the Rome Police Department before moving to the Suwanee Police Department in 2001 and was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2006.