City of University Park’s Post

10 essential steps for Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, or Federal Agents preparing for their next careers. Can you think of any others?!

On February 14th I attended a training sponsored by REACH (Racial Equity Advancement & Collaborative Hub) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, along with Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Jesse Edwards and several other Framingham representatives. Department heads, town managers, city councilors and HR representatives from over 10+ neighboring municipalities and organizations were present. Very powerful and insightful information was shared, such as "not putting your strategy before your objective" when conducting inclusionary work. As part of this training, I joined a committee on behalf of Framingham's HR department, to regularly attend these monthly meetings and discuss how information can be directly applied to our roles. More posts to come. One of the key points emphasized by REACH was that Racial Equity efforts (drawing a distinction from less quantifiable Diversity & Inclusion initiatives...as it was explained to us) should be fueled by a personal connection, relevancy and direct-impact to your work, regardless of one's self identified demographic. As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I bring you not just Black History...but Black History relevant and impactful to Framingham. Please see this post highlighting our very own Chief Lester Baker, shared by the Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers and re-shared by Deputy Chief Sean Riley! I challenge you to dis(un)cover the Black History relevant to your own places of employment, personal connections, and areas of influence. Comment this history below should you feel led to do so!

No truer words..

Professional security experts run into danger, not away. Well done!

Gramsci's concept of hegemony is that the ruling class maintains dominance in society through two main methods: 1. Coercion: This involves the use of force through institutions like the army, police, prisons, and courts to make the subordinate classes comply with their authority. 2. Consent (Hegemony): Here, the ruling class uses ideas, values, and ideology to persuade the subordinate class that its rule is legitimate and in their best interest, making the subordinates willingly accept the leadership. Gramsci argues that in order for the proletariat to challenge the dominance of the ruling class, they must develop their own "counter-hegemony" through a new set of ideas and values.

Something to think about

In light of this, I urge the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (@OACPOfficial) to take a bold stand on addressing the mental health of their members. The time for action is now. While we commend the ongoing efforts, it is crucial to move beyond mere acknowledgments and take concrete steps to support the mental well-being of those who protect and serve our communities. Operational stress injuries, including post-traumatic stress and suicidal ideation, are real challenges that require more than lip service; they demand action, understanding, and comprehensive support systems. Let us not forget that behind every badge, there is a human being deserving of care, support, and understanding. As we celebrate the achievements of our newest members, let's also commit to ensuring their mental health and well-being are prioritized. The journey of a peacekeeper is both challenging and rewarding, and by fostering an environment that genuinely addresses mental health, we empower our officers to thrive, not just survive. #Badgeoflifecanada #HopeGrowthRecovery #Calltoaction #PAO

Black Officers & Stops. Increasing racial congruence between police officers and the community being patrolled is associated with fewer stops of Black residents over time. Black officers stopped fewer Black civilians than White officers, with larger effects in units with higher percentages of Black officers. Moreover, as the number of Black officers in a shift increased, stops of Black civilians declined for all officers. But how does this affect the safety of Black civilians, who are more likely to be victims of murder and other violent crimes? How was that impacted? For more on Police Science, subscribe to the free Police Science Dr email list on www.PoliceScienceDr.com #PoliceScience #PoliceStops #RaceInPolicing

Do your Job! simple...