Gender, Race and Justice: The Future of American Policing

Panelists at the “Gender, Race and Justice: The Future of American Policing” discussion on Thursday, September 23rd. (L-R) Dr. David Corey, Heather Rice-Munis, Ganesha Martin, and Dr. Sheryl Victorian

WACO

On Thursday evening, September 23, Baylor Law and Baylor University’s ‘Baylor in Washington’ program, hosted a special event to discuss a variety of current and future issues within the American policing system. Panelists at the “Gender, Race and Justice: The Future of American Policing” discussion included Dr. Sheryl Victorian, the current chief of police of the Waco Police Department; Ganesha Martin, a public policy expert on police reform and accountability; and Heather Rice-Minus, senior vice president of advocacy and church mobilization at Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families.

Chief of police of the Waco Police Department, Dr. Sheryl Victorian, makes a point during the discussion

Moderated by the Director of the Baylor in Washington program and professor of political science, Dr. David Corey, the panelists discussed necessary reforms to the policing system, police training, specifically training in de-escalation efforts, accountability, and the promotion of better community engagement efforts by police. The panel also discussed the need for increased diversity within police departments, with a special focus on improving female participation in the police force. Chief Victorian specifically mentioned one focus of her philosophy of relational policing using the acronym TREAT, “Transparency, respect, engagement, and accountability, all build to the last ‘T’ which is trust.’

“It is of tremendous benefit to Baylor Law School to be part of this program,” Stated Richard Alpert, a seasoned prosecutor who serves as an advisor and adjunct professor in Baylor Law’s Criminal Law Program. “Observing a diverse panel discuss topics that have proven to be ’conversation enders’ in other settings is something that all students, particularly those who aspire to careers in the criminal justice system, need to hear. It is also a conversation they will one day, as criminal justice professionals, be called upon to lead.”

“As future Baylor Lawyers, our students must be prepared to advocate in all settings, from community conversations to courtrooms, for a fair criminal justice system,” stated Baylor Law Dean Brad Toben. He added, “It is imperative that we continue to have these sometimes-difficult conversations marked by civility and a common purpose to seek justice.”

The event is available for viewing, here: https://www.baylor.edu/washington/index.php?id=980621.

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