Policing and Criminal Justice Focus Group
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Policing and Criminal Justice Focus Group
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When an incident occurs do you tend to sympathize with the officer or civilian ?
• There were three pervasive sentiments relayed on this question . One part of the group said that they would wait until facts came out and didn ’ t have a persuasion on one side or the other . Some other Focus Group members said that they analyzed situations on a case by case basis and the third group said that given the current climate , they sympathize with civilians because of what they see .
• Quote from Focus Group member : “ I will say very transparently that a lot of times my thought is , I hope that ’ s not a black person that ’ s on the other end of that situation .”
What factors do you think contribute to disparities in policing ?
• All Focus Group members were clear on their views on this particular question and their rapid fire responses were : secondary trauma ; implicit bias ; as well as culture , and media .
• Quote from Focus Group Member : “ If officers are recruited from another state to come here and work . They need to be taught culture .”
What else do you want us to know ?
• We are still people , and we have real issues .
• There should be more transparency , not covering things up .
• Officers show up to scenes like robots - you can ’ t move like a robot- “… you can humanize the badge .”
• “ Approach me as a person , not a target .”
Unity Council Report 101