Episode 54: Bridging the Gap Between Police & Community with Guest Chief Keith Goyette

Episode 54: Bridging the Gap Between Police & Community with Guest Chief Keith Goyette

It's been a minute since we’ve done an episode, and this was a great one to start out with! This time, we welcomed Chief Keith Goyette of Kinston Police Department - a long-time colleague and friend of BJ - back to the podcast. After sharing his background, Chief Goyette breaks down the Kinston department, the number of people he oversees, and highlights the fact that the civilians that work within the department are the true unsung heroes of the organization.

 

BJ asks about some of the biggest problems facing Kinston police, as they have been recently facing some community backlash over a few use-of-force incidents. Chief Goyette explains the complexity of the situation and emphasizes that though social media can be a great tool, it can also be a problem creating a one-sided narrative. The two also discuss the current climate of the upcoming elections, the stickiness of political affiliations, and the pressure to endorse candidates or join organizations. 

 

They move one to one of YFO’s favorite topics: the importance of community policing and how Chief Goyette incorporates it in his community. Chief Goyette underlines their upcoming Citizen Police Academy and its success the previous year. BJ wraps things up by sharing some stats about the Kinston Police Department, and Chief Goyette explains YFO’s involvement in Kinston and how important it is to have a bridge that connects law enforcement and the community. 

 

More about Chief Goyette:

Keith Goyette began working as a police officer with the Ayden Police Department in 2000 and later joined the Kinston Police Department in January of 2001. Over the years, Keith has advanced his way through the ranks of the organization, working in numerous divisions within the agency to include Patrol Officer, a member of Special Response Unit, Crime Scene Investigator, Narcotics Unit Supervisor, Investigations Division Supervisor, Patrol Supervisor as well as a Field Training Officer for the agency. Keith is a General Instructor and actively teaches several courses in the BLET program at Lenoir Community College.

 

In 2009, Keith received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Keith holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Mount Olive, as well as a master’s degree in Homeland Security Administration from Tiffin University. He is also a graduate of the 74th AOMP Session at North Carolina State University and is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Program at Methodist University. Keith is a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and has also completed the Leadership Certificate Program and the Criminal Investigator Certificate Program from the North Carolina Justice Academy.

 

On February 2, 2023, Keith was selected as the permanent Chief of Police for the Kinston Police Department. During Chief Goyette’s tenure, he has implemented several policies, procedures, and initiatives helping reduce violent crime, build community trust and increase transparency, while embracing both constitutional policing and police proactivity. Chief Goyette places tremendous value on public safety and community engagement with the understanding that it is a shared responsibility and that police cannot do it alone. He is committed to making Kinston one of the safest cities in the East.