Collierville Chamber of Commerce Hosts Monthly Membership Meeting
Photo by Cindy B. Thymius Photography
Collierville Chief of Police Dale Lane offers insight into creating a culture of transparency and service
Dale Lane, the recently appointed Chief of Police for the Town of Collierville, addressed the Collierville Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Membership Luncheon held on August 12 at First Baptist Church of Collierville. The meeting was sponsored by the YMCA.
Prior to Chief Lane’s remarks, Jaime Munz of the Schilling Farms Y outlined the YMCA’s efforts during the COVID-19 to assist the greater Memphis Community as it has dealt with the needs of both parents and children. The two major thrusts of the Y’s efforts have been their Essential Childcare program, which has provided childcare to children over the age of five to providers of essential services, and their food program, which has combined resources of the YMCA with the Memphis Food Bank and other social service agencies to provide more than 2.5 million meals to children during the course of COVID. The food program utilized 55 sites throughout the area. As Munz so poignantly reminded luncheon attendees, the meals addressed the needs of children who are food-deprived. “It’s all about feeding the kids,” she said.
Chief Dale Lane began his presentation with a public acknowledgment of the support he has been shown by community leaders after taking the helm of the Collierville Police Department in early May. He also thanked his command staff, many of whom attended the luncheon, for their support and for their remarkable professionalism. Lane’s 33 years of law enforcement experience, including a great number in leadership positions, have offered him a wide variety of experiences – from his early years as a policeman with the City of Millington and a long stint with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. He is also a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy.
Lane’s remarks to Chamber members and guests covered a wide range of topics, beginning with the many challenges he has faced in his first few months on the job. From addressing the manner in which the police department has dealt with the COVID crisis to the challenge now facing law enforcement agencies in the wake of George Floyd’s death and protests throughout the nation, Lane detailed his approach to community policing, including the department’s recent challenges dealing with civic protest within Collierville.
Lane mentioned the department’s use of data-driven policing and his trust in the professionalism of the 109 members under his command, as well as his belief in community involvement. Lane highlighted the department’s use of social media to keep citizens apprised of incidents in the town, to offer crime prevention techniques and to put a human face on the department’s outreach programs. Lane concluded his remarks with a Biblical reference to “love thy neighbor.”
Mark Heuberger, President and CEO of the Collierville Chamber, used the meeting to thank First Baptist Collierville for the use of their venue and to call attention to the day’s caterers – Pimentos, Silver Caboose and Kroger.
Additionally, Heuberger encouraged members to download the new “Experience Collierville” app which offers insights into the town’s many businesses, maps of the community and a quick means of connecting with services and goods in the community. As he stated, the new app is the most recent complement to the Chamber’s “Love on a Local Level” campaign.
