Cops Trained to be Racist

The urgent need for national oversight of police

Jeffrey Kass
Momentum
Published in
5 min readApr 25, 2024

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selective focus of detained Black man lying on street near policeman, racism concept
Image: Shutterstock/Lightfield Studios

After George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, Philando Castile, Tyre Nichols, Sandra Bland and numerous other murders of unarmed Black people by the police, there was a groundswell of support to get police departments better training.

Better training on the use of force, cultural sensitivity, de-escalation and racial bias.

Police departments were adamant that more training would fix the issue of unfair treatment and disproportionate killing of unarmed Black people by our police.

Dennis Slocumb, the legislative director of the International Union of Police Associations, said at the time that “police officers, police chiefs, and everyone agree that we do not get enough training in a myriad of fields.”

Legislatures across jurisdictions likewise argued in 2020 that it’s all about training.

One University of Cincinnati study concluded that training reduces bad police conduct.

So beginning in 2020, increased training is what police nationwide did.

Finally!! An end to senseless killing of unarmed Black men and women!

At least 46 states paid for new training from a company called “Street Cop.” New Jersey spent $320,000 on the program.

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Momentum
Momentum

Published in Momentum

Momentum is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts.

Jeffrey Kass
Jeffrey Kass

Written by Jeffrey Kass

A Medium Top Writer on Racism, Diversity, Education, History and Parenting | Speaker | Award-Winning Author | Latest Book: Black Batwoman V. White Jesus | Dad

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