Race and the use of excessive force are on a lot of people's minds right now, especially following the death of George Floyd and the related protests. On Friday, University of Nevada, Reno held a panel on Zoom discussing racial issues and possible solutions.
"My son told me when he was 10 that the 8 times I've been pulled over that year, I've never gotten a ticket. I wasn't speeding or anything. I was just pulled over. After hearing what he had to say, I thought, wow," said UNR Dean of the College of Education Donald Easton-Brooks.
"When I was a kid, I found a bag with a paper and a rock in it. and it said if they're brown, flush them down," said Black Business Student Association board member Mykel Broady.
"I was with my two friends who are white. I wasn't doing anything different. But I was slammed to the ground and arrested. While they were told to go," said UNR student Colyn Abron. Story after story of racism was discussed during the University of Nevada, Reno panel on Zoom discussing racism, bias, and police brutality.
"There has to be a deep, deep change in values. This is a culture that has been passed on for generations. That's why they have this implicit bias," said Black Business Association President Serene Townsell.
"I talk about leadership. That means me, my command staff, and supervisors should be on top of this internally to make sure this is not what the department culture is about," said University of Nevada, Reno Police Services Chief Todd Renwick.
Chief Renwick listened to the stories and the suggestions.
"I have a suggestion how about a UNR Civilian Police Review Board made up of students," said Townsell.
"We are in the process of revising our advisory board," said Chief Renwick.
Conversation about needing more diversity classes for students, quickly turned to suggestions that campus officers take those classes as well.
"We could either make our courses available to your officers, or develop a course specific that would meet the needs," said Dean of the UNR School of Social Work Shadi Martin.
"I have a lot of officers that take these sorts of similar courses. But I can't imagine it being as in-depth and have the potential that you could possibly offering. So I really look forward to having a conversation about those classes," said Chief Renwick.
Chief Renwick said the Police Services Advisory Board that's being re-formed is expected to meet June 25, 2020.
