OCPA Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year –

Mid-Size Departments (51-100 Officers)

Officer Sherman “JB” Bond

When Officer Sherman “JB” Bond joined the Mansfield Division of Police in 1991, Mansfield had one of the highest per capital crime rates in the country. Following the shooting of a local resident, the Mayor agreed to allow the Division of Police to implement a broad-based community policing strategy that included permanent zone/sector assignments for patrol.

This led to the development of neighborhood and business watch associations, SARA problem solving training for the entire department, and the assignment of two officers to implement a demonstration project in a pre-defined area using the Weed and Seed Methodology. Of course, this all had to be done without additional funding. Officer Bond volunteered for this duty.

Officer Bond and his partner built a collaborative with the Narcotics Task Force, police departments and Local Codes and Permits inspectors to begin the weeding process. He and his partner also worked with businesses and churches to improve the neighborhood with “clean-up days” and host local events.

The first initiative resulted in a double-digit drop in UCR Part I Crime in the target area, which led to Mansfield being selected as one of ten cities for a federal grant for $850,000 to hire 10 additional police officers.

Since the first project, Officer Bond was assigned to the 10-county METRICH Task Force, where he promoted several Demand Reduction Programs, volunteered to work with youth, and has appeared hundreds of times before large groups to stress the importance of getting involved.

Today, Officer Bond is one of two “Neighborhood Team Leaders” whose mission in life is to solve problems and reduce crime. Working with Codes and Permits, he strives to return pride to neighborhoods one street at a time. He has worked to develop 42 neighborhood and business watch associations, helped reduce calls for service by 5,000 calls per year with the “Top 10 Program” and is a critical parner in the “Community Policing Parole/Probation Partnership.”

Officer Bond truly believes that the good in people will shine through with patience and encouragement. For these reasons, we are proud to award Officer “JB” Bond with the Ohio Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year Award.