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The students were given scenarios to act out, such as a traffic stop, and discussed both the right and wrong ways to approach those types of situations.
Christopher Ayers/WFYIAs recent national events have drawn attention to the relationship between police and black communities, a group of local black community organizations Thursday held a conversation between mostly black junior and senior high school students and local law enforcement officers. The discussion focused on developing relationships between young community members and the police.
Students heard from two IMPD officers and a criminal defense attorney. The students were given scenarios to act out, such as a traffic stop, and discussed both the right and wrong ways to approach those types of situations.
The recent grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York not to indict white police officers in the deaths of unarmed black males have underscored distrust between black communities and police.
IMPD Sergeant Kendale Adams says community engagement has been an IMPD priority during the past couple of years.
"These kids, this community are our customers," Adams says. "We’ve got to be in step, we’ve got to be in tune with what is going on in the community. So that’s why we’re outreaching these types of different events to try to engage our kids in a meaningful way."
Indiana Black Expo and the Indianapolis Urban League, among others, coordinated the event.
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