Policing While Black

By turns denounced, ignored, and scrutinized in recent debates and events, black cops have an incredibly unique vantage point from which to view and understand the tumultuous debates around race and policing that have resurfaced in recent months. Through minority recruitment and promotion, and other means, departments across the country have made earnest efforts to grapple with the claim that racism and policing are inextricable. But controversial police-citizen interactions have continued to fan the flames of a contentious debate. How have the unique racial dynamics in major cities in the U.S. been reflected in black cops’ experiences within their police departments? Is some degree of racial tension between police and the black community inevitable? Can the perspectives of black cops help break down the invisible wall between police and communities of color? A fascinating panel of black police executives and experts speaking to how history, culture, and looming racial tension shaped their experiences on the force.

FEATURING:

Anthony Barksdale, Former Acting Commissioner, Baltimore Police Department

James Secreto, Senior Advisor, StoneTurn; Retired Chief of Housing, NYPD

Michael J. Fortner, Assistant Professor, Graduate Center, CUNY

Moderator: Coleman Hughes, Fellow, Manhattan Institute; Contributing Editor, City Journal