Students demanded the attention of Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner, who’s the right hand of the President in improving police and community relations.
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Philadelphia 5th grader, Ms. Samara Tahir, a student at the Jubilee School in Southwest Philadelphia, had a big idea: organize a children’s march to City Hall and demand an end to police brutality.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Mr. Charles Ramsey, speaks with 5th grader, Ms. Samara Tahir, organizer of children’s march against police brutality with attracted nearly 100 students. Photo Credit: C. Norris – ©2015
“I didn’t think it would happen,” she said, sitting next to Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Mr. Charles Ramsey, at the round-table in the City Council Caucus Room.
“I’m here because you demanded that I be here,” said Commissioner Ramsey, who touted the power of a collective voice. “You’ve got my attention,” he added.
Commissioner Ramsey listened and then responded to more than five students’ inquiry before giving the ole “stay in school” speech.
A 10th grader from Sankofa Freedom Academy wanted to know if police officers’ pay was based on the number of arrests they perform.
“No,” replied Commissioner Ramsey, who went on to explain how the system is set-up to work and mentioned that officers do, however, have the opportunity, like most employees, to earn overtime.
Another student from the Sankofa Freedom Academy, an 11th grade female, asked Commissioner Ramsey what programs were being implemented that would “end” police brutality.
Commissioner Ramsey referred to the hosts of recommendations offered by the President’s Task Force and the Department of Justice that his department, one of the largest in the country, is tasked with implementing.
A bright eyed sixth grade boy, who regularly attends a PAL Center in Upper Darby, Pa, wanted to know more about “block parties,” recreational opportunities, and potential micro interactions between police and citizens that could help officers identify law abiding residents versus individuals who may have an interest in criminal activity.
Commissioner Ramsey touted his initiative to put new recruits on foot patrol, instead of in cars, so that they “get to know everyone in the neighborhood.”
He also acknowledged that “we have to find more activities for young people” and pledged to look into getting a few more PAL centers in communities.
Commissioner Ramsey, who grew up wanting to be a doctor and fell in love with policing while a young police cadet, admitted to being concerned about the tensions that exists in communities, and said it’ll only get better with more conversations and getting to know one another.
Both cops and citizens, suggested the police commissioner, want safe neighborhoods. And when we begin to find ways to work together to do that, he added, then the tension goes away.
Commissioner Ramsey continued:
“It’s also about police officers treating people in a respectful way. Not everyone in a community, however challenged it may be, is guilty of committing a crime. And not every police officer, even though there are some who engage in misconduct, is bad; it starts with conversations and getting to know one another.”
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Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™
