How police and the public can create safer neighborhoods together | Tracie Keesee

Summary

In this powerful speech, an African-American female police officer with over 25 years of experience reflects on her role in public safety and the community's perception of her. She discusses the history of mistrust between the African American community and the police and introduces the concept of 'coproduction' of public safety, a collaborative approach involving the community and law enforcement. She highlights the NYPD's neighborhood policing strategy, emphasizing the importance of communication, implicit bias training, and addressing social issues to build trust and work towards a safer community.

Takeaways

• 📸 The speaker reflects on the historical and recurring nature of people marching for justice, noting a personal connection as a police officer since 1989.
• 👮‍♀️ As an African-American woman in law enforcement, the speaker acknowledges the improvements in societal conditions but also the ongoing internal conflict about her role in the community.
• 🤔 The speaker contemplates the perception of her by the community while in uniform, questioning whether her actions contribute positively or negatively to public safety.
• 🔍 Recognizing the need for a different approach in policing, the speaker believes in the potential for a method that upholds dignity and ensures justice, emphasizing that the police cannot achieve this alone.
• 🤝 The concept of 'coproduction of public safety' is introduced, suggesting a collaborative effort between the police and the community for a more effective and empathetic approach to safety.
• 📚 The speaker references the historical and complex relationship between the African-American community and the police, marked by mistrust and a desire for change through communication and understanding.
• 🏛 The 'Build the Block' initiative in New York is highlighted as a practical example of coproduction, where community members and police collaborate to address local issues and build trust.
• 📝 The importance of attending neighborhood meetings is stressed, as these gatherings facilitate direct interaction between community members, the NYPD, and neighborhood coordinating officers (NCOs).
• 🚔 The role of NCOs in addressing community concerns, such as noise complaints and traffic issues, is emphasized, showcasing how collaboration can lead to tangible improvements.
• 🛡 The speaker discusses the need for police officers to understand and confront implicit biases, which can influence decision-making and potentially harm community relations.
• 💪 The internal culture of law enforcement is addressed, with the speaker advocating for support systems within the police force to help officers deal with trauma and stress.
• 🌐 The speaker acknowledges the broader social issues that intersect with law enforcement, such as mental health and education, and the importance of addressing these in the context of public safety.

Q & A

What is the speaker's background and when did she become a police officer?

The speaker is an African-American woman who has been in the police force for over 25 years. She took her oath to become a police officer in 1989.

What does the speaker believe about the changes in public safety over the years?

The speaker believes that things have gotten better in terms of public safety, but she also acknowledges that there is still room for improvement, particularly in how the community perceives and interacts with the police.

What concept does the speaker introduce as a solution to improve public safety?

The speaker introduces the concept of 'coproduction of public safety,' which involves collaboration between the police and the community to create a safer environment.

What is the 'coproduction' theory and who developed it?

The 'coproduction' theory was developed by Elinor Ostrom in the 1970s. It involves bringing people with separate expertise and lived experiences together to produce new knowledge and ideas.

How does the 'Build the Block' initiative in New York work?

'Build the Block' is an initiative where residents can go to buildtheblock.nyc, enter their address, and find out about neighborhood meetings. Attending these meetings allows for collaboration between NYPD officers and community members to address local issues.

What role do Neighborhood Coordinating Officers (NCOs) play in the coproduction of public safety?

NCOs are part of the community meetings and collaborate with various departments, such as the Department of Transportation, to address issues like speeding and noise complaints, working together to find solutions that improve public safety.

Why is it important for police officers to understand implicit bias and how does it affect their decision-making?

Understanding implicit bias is crucial for police officers because these unconscious stereotypes can influence their split-second decisions, potentially leading to detrimental outcomes. Training in implicit bias helps officers make more informed and fair decisions.

How does the treatment of officers within the police organization affect their behavior with the community?

The treatment of officers within the organization is critical as it impacts how they interact with the community. If officers feel supported and are provided with resources like mental health services, they are more likely to behave positively and build trust with the community.

What are some of the social issues that have historically been associated with law enforcement?

Some of the social issues historically associated with law enforcement include mental health and education, where police have often been involved in enforcing legislative racial desegregation rather than providing public safety.

What are the three fundamental ideologies the speaker believes are necessary for moving forward with the coproduction of public safety?

The three fundamental ideologies are: 1) No more wallowing in the past, but moving forward together; 2) Embracing lived experiences and histories, ensuring progress without reverting to harmful past practices; 3) Acknowledging that truth and facts can be painful, but inaction is no longer acceptable.

How does the speaker suggest the community and police can work together to address issues like speeding in neighborhoods?

The speaker suggests that by working together, including discussions with NCOs and collaboration with the Department of Transportation, the community and police can find solutions such as speed bumps and proper signage to address speeding issues.