Law enforcement agencies are often less diverse than the communities they serve. It’s an issue that has been at the core of calls for policing reform around the United States in recent years, and it’s a problem that can only be solved if more Black and brown people choose law enforcement as a career.
A recent event at Montclair State University gave students a chance to meet with law enforcement officials of color face-to-face, to learn about the field and imagine what such a career could be like. The conversation ranged from the impact of police-community relations to the opportunities that exist for Black and brown students who want to pursue a career in law enforcement.
“It’s also important that they receive opportunities like this to sit down and interface with law enforcement professionals, particularly law enforcement professionals that look just like them, that comes from their community with that lived experience,” said Jason Williams, an associate professor of justice studies at Montclair State University.
Laws passed in New Jersey following the killing of George Floyd have been focused on boosting diversity among law enforcement.
