Black officers point out that they contend with many of the same racial issues as black civilians, such as stereotypes, racism on the job and even confrontations with the police. Black plainclothes or undercover police officers have been shot by their white counterparts, as in the 2009 death of NYPD Officer Omar J. Edwards, who was killed while he was chasing a man who had broken into his car. I understand that when I am given directions from the police, I am very cautious and careful to comply with their demands or commands until it could be understood what is really going on, said Michael Williams, a 15-year veteran and president of the police union Memphis Police Association. We have to take responsibility for our actions, even in the black community, and we can avoid a whole lot of this. Kevin A. Minor, a St. Louis County Police recruitment officer and field training officer, remembers being followed around a discount store by a security officer while trying to shop. If thats what makes him feel like hes doing his job, oh well, Minor said. Because I know why Im there, and Im going to leave there with what Im going to buy and thats it. Task forces and commissions around the nation are being formed to study ways to improve relations between police forces and minorities. Three high-ranking House Democrats on Tuesday pressed for congressional hearings on police tactics and race, and President Barack Obama told Black Entertainment Television, in an interview aired Monday, that a variety of factors, from training to subconscious racial fears, have combined to create a national problem thats going to require a national solution. While acknowledging the rage felt by communities that feel persecuted by the police, some of the black officers were not quick to blame race for some of the deadly encounters. I believe that some of these incidents could have been prevented if you comply with the law, Williams said. If someone says put your hands up, put your hands up. Ferreira says he felt inspired to become a law enforcement officer after attending a rally decrying Oscar Grants shooting death at the hands of a white transit police officer in Oakland 2009. But he also says there often is nothing racial about how officers operate. There are two people involved that decide the outcome: Its the cop and the suspect, Ferreira said. Both of them contribute to the outcome of the interaction. Its not going to be the color of ones skin. Black officers say they can help quell some of the hostility between police and the communities they patrol. I think law enforcement leaders have to recognize that minority officers can be that bridge to build trust because they understand where the mistrust comes from, Armstrong said. ___ Follow Jesse J. Holland on Twitter at twitter/jessejholland Holland reported from Washington, D.C., and Bender from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, and Allen G. Breed in St. Louis also contributed to this report.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 11:50:05 +0000
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