Sept. 17, 2020
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CDT
Zoom
Are police-community relations beyond repair? An inspiring Nevada reentry program demonstrates that trust and friendship can exist between local law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Join us Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CDT for a virtual discussion with:
Jon Ponder, founder and CEO of Hope for Prisoners and a repeat offender who was recently pardoned by President Trump
Kevin McMahill, undersheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
In a conversation moderated by Badger Institute President Mike Nichols we’ll address the following questions:
· Is the narrative of reckless cops routinely employing excessive force an accurate one?
· Can steps be taken to avoid a repeat of the events that recently took place in Kenosha?
· How can mutual distrust and hostility be replaced by relationship and respect?
· Nearly every police department claims to be engaged in community relations. What are effective strategies that determine success in these efforts?
“On a national level, there’s no simple answer to the question ‘How did we get here?’ History, hard hearts, unchecked behavior and, yes, racism have each played a role. The bigger question is ‘How do we change?’
“Local law enforcement plays a crucial role in supporting, encouraging and mentoring our clients through their journey. Members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department volunteer their time. I have seen officers well up with tears as the men and women they mentored graduated from our program. When we look beneath the surface—past a uniform, past a tattoo, past any choices that we have made in the past—we find we are all much more alike than we are different.”
– Jon Ponder in the Wall Street Journal
Links to relevant Badger Institute work:
Police Use of Force: How Common Is It?
Unlocking Potential, including a profile of Hope for Prisoners
