Cal U discussion focuses on race and police work

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

“Policing in Dichotomous Worlds: Black Law Enforcers/Black Lives Matter” was the title of Thursday’s kick-off event for Black History Month at California University of Pennsylvania.

“I’m laughing, because we all had to look up what dichotomous means,” said criminal justice associate professor Dr. Mathilda Spencer, the moderator for the roundtable discussion. “It means you can’t exist simultaneously, they are two separate ideas. But we do live in both worlds.”

Cpl. Aaron Allen,  a heritage affairs officer with the Pennsylvania State Police, said his race definitely impacts his job.

“We deal with a lot of under-served communities and building relationships with those communities,” he said. 

Allen said the fact that he looks like the people he is trying to connect with helps build trust.

Lavonni Bickerstaff, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police assistant chief, said following the law and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics play a bigger role in her job than race does. The code calls for officers to perform their duties impartially, upholding the law and Constitution.

“Our fundamental duty is to serve the public. We’re supposed to safeguard lives,” she said. “Most times police are in that guardian mindset. We only enter warrior mode when there is danger. 

“If you’re a police officer and you think it’s about you, you need to leave. Does race make a difference? Absolutely. But how we police our communities should be based on the law.” 

Paris Pratt, assistant special agent in charge at the  Drug Enforcement Agency’s Pittsburgh office, said race plays a larger role in why he does his job, not how he does it. Pratt said growing up in Camden, N.J., he didn’t see many people like himself in law enforcement and explained that he wants to have an impact on the community, leaving a legacy for others to follow.

Regina Scott, deputy chief, Los Angeles Police Department, who is currently working on her doctorate at Cal U, said race plays a part in her role in the department, the community and as a leader.

“Sometimes you are more hated in the community than your counterparts because you’re viewed as a traitor,” Scott said.

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