Throughout her nearly 18-year tenure with the Mountain View Police Department, Janleah McPherson became known for the shoes and clothes she carried in the back of her patrol car. Her duties as a patrol officer did not entail donating these items to those she encountered on her beat, but she did so anyway and without the approval of her supervisor.
In March, McPherson, 44, took over as the MVPD’s newest community outreach officer. It is a role she has desired for years, even before 2017, when a grant began funding the position. Following in the footsteps of MVPD officers Mike Taber and Ruben Gonzalez before her, McPherson is now the link connecting Mountain View’s unstably housed population with the local food, shelter and mental health services available to them.
“It’s no surprise that she’s in this role,” said Katie Nelson, MVPD spokesperson. “I think it’s pretty evident that this isn’t (just) a position for her. This is what she’s passionate about.”
The Town Crier recently spoke to McPherson about her new duties. The following interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Q: What inspired you to pursue this position?
A: I’m a believer that we all have purpose in our lives, and mine is serving and helping out the community. One of the best ways for me to do this is to have this position now and be able to focus on it 100%.
Q: How would you describe your day-to-day responsibilities?
A: I go out in the field and meet our homeless community. I’ve met subjects from local hunger relief organization Hope’s Corner and talked to them about other available services to see if they’re interested. If they are, I collect their information and make an appointment with Community Service Agency (CSA) here in Mountain View. And I follow up with them. For example, today I’m meeting with a man. I already made an appointment for him with CSA. Afterward, I’ll touch base with a caseworker and do a follow-up with him to see if he’s doing OK.
Also, I educate our homeless population, particularly the RV dwellers. I go out there and tell them about the programs we have here in the city of Mountain View as well as the programs we have in the county.
Q: There’s an ongoing national narrative of mistrust of law enforcement. How do you go about gaining the trust of community members who may have had negative experiences with police in the past?
A: My tactic is to treat them how I would want myself or my family to be treated. Initially, when they do decline services or any help from me, I don’t give up. I go back the next day or the following week just to check in with them and say hi and see how they’re doing. I also take into consideration their past experiences with the police. My goal is to connect the bridge, reaching out to those who need help without judgment and wait for them to trust the police department on their own time.
Q: What do you consider the most fulfilling experiences of your new role?
A: Just seeing them smile and see that spark in their eyes is what makes my job great, and that’s why I come here every day, to give them hope that someday, if it’s not now, they will live the life they deserve and better. And that’s why I’m here. I’m here to support them. I’m here to connect them with whatever services they need, whatever issues they have. Because I’m a believer that you’ve got to have faith, you’ve got to have someone to help. Without someone helping them, they wouldn’t be able to get to their destination.
Any Mountain View resident seeking food, shelter and/or mental health services may call the MVPD’s nonemergency line at 903-6344; walk into the agency’s lobby at 1000 Villa St.; or approach a patrol officer. Ask for Officer Janleah McPherson by name.
