UIS Holds Community Policing Panel
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — U.I.S. community policing student Jovan Ding said he doesn't want to base his opinions of police interaction solely on social media and news reports.
"For me I need to see that in person. To talk to them about what's going on, what we should do better our community, or to talk to the officials about what's going on," Ding said. "So I need that direct conversation, and I think they need that conversation to see what's really going on."
So him and dozens of U.I.S students went to the classes first ever panel open to the entire school.
"It's really important for the community to start engaging in these conversations, especially with all of the civil rights movements going on right now," student Amanda Mullin said.
Professor Tim Gleason said he wanted students to learn a valuable lesson.
"Respect," Gleason said. "And respect is a two-way street. It's how you should act during a law enforcement encounter, and it's how law enforcement should treat a citizen when there is a contact. I think it's a great message. And I want to share it with more than just 23 students."
There were current and retired law enforcement leaders with state, Chicago, Springfield and Champaign police.
They wanted to teach, but also challenge students to join the force and change it from the inside.
"Every cop is not a bad guy, and that the law enforcement career, is a prestigious career," NOBLE's Odie Carpenter said. "Depending on how you go into any job, you make it what it is."
Deputy Chicago Police Chief Kieth Calloway made it very clear to students that Chicago P.D., state police and Springfield Police are all hiring right now. and all departments are looking for minority recruits so police departments can better reflect their communities.
