NATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DANBURY OFFICERS OF COLOR
Dated: Wednesday March 30, 2005
In the face of adversity, one must always find and look towards a pillar of strength. Thus becomes the additional onus placed upon those among our profession who are selected to lead, at any level. And amongst officers of color, this onus takes on added focus, requiring them to both lead their compatriots and lead in their communities. Their active presence and participation in the structure that defines the manner in which law enforcement interacts with communities of color lends both credibility and trust to the overall process of the criminal justice system.
It is to the greater benefit of the community – black, white, brown, yellow and red – that officers of color be provided equal and fair opportunities for promotion to supervisory, staff and administrative positions within the law enforcement hierarchy. When there are people who look like us, come from the same environments, have the same experiences, a much better understanding of the concerns and issues of the Black and Latino communities is derived.
Yet we find quite often that when processes are in place to assist in ensuring equality and fairness, the established majority either neglects or refuses to comply with the standards that have been set. Consequently, what may have been perceived as equal and fair must now be viewed as unfair and biased.
We stand in support of Officer Lance Brevard of the Danbury, CT Police Department in his search for equality of treatment. We stand in support of requiring the City of Danbury to fully comply with all court-ordered requirements regarding the recruitment, promotion, or retention of officers of color. We stand in total, un-wavering support of equality of treatment.
The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers, Inc, a 501.(c).(3) non-profit, is a premier national organization representing the interests and concerns of African American, Latino and other criminal justice practitioners of color serving in law enforcement, corrections, and investigative agencies throughout the United States, and the communities in which they serve.
