The newest members of the New York City Police Department are getting a course in diversity before hitting the streets today.
Hundreds of new officers are taking part in the “Advancing Community Trust” program, a four-day multicultural course taking place at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
The program includes sensitivity training and how to deal with the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
The program comes as the department is dealing with accusations it has a persistent problem with racial sensitivity.
Officer Michael Daragjati faces charges for allegedly falsely arresting an African American man in a stop and frisk on Staten Island.
Several officers are also accused of making inappropriate comments about the West Indian Parade on Facebook.
Still, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says the department has made strides in community relations.
“We certainly can make mistakes, we’re human beings, but by and large I think the men and women of the department do a terrific job, interacting with the many different communities in the city,” Kelly said.
“Born and raised here, actually a native son of Harlem, so for me I’ve grown up with that diversity, I’m used to it, it does take some getting used but something with time you pick up pretty quick,” said Police Officer Kevin Brabazon.
This is the ninth time the program is being held.
The new officers first night on duty is New Year’s Eve.
(Source: NY1)
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5 Responses
New York City has the best police force in the nation. This is credit to the police commissioner Ray Kelly. if there are a select few which tarnish the department the commissioner gets rid of them.
There is no reason to blame an entire force because of a few bad apples.
Will the Orthodox Jewish culture also be covered in the “multicultured” seminar, or is this strictly Mayor Bloomberg throwing a bone to the African American community and Al Sharpton.
#2 it is a bone. While there are some bad apples in the NYPD the bigger issue is that some in the black community manipulate these situations to their advantage. The Sharptons and others are always looking for ways to knock down the police while getting media time for themselves. We live in an integrated society and the criminal element whoever they are must be dealt with by the police. If the amount of criminal activity is done in the ethnic communities then its not the fault of the police for enforcing the law. There is a conscience refusal by some so called leaders in those communities to acknowledge the wrongful acts by their own. The so called minority communities need to clean up their act inorder to be taken seriously….enough of the blame game being focused on everyone else but themselves. Decent law abiding citizens of any race, religion or group have nothing to fear from the police.
its about time charedi jews join the 21st century and understand that black people are human beings too and stop the knee jerk reaction of generalizing. Are all black people supporters of Al Sharpton? Come on! stop the ignorance! Yes the police are overbearing in many instances how many of us who have been pulled over for traffic offences can attest to being treated like we are babies. they are public employees and must learn how to treat the public with respect
Effie, I’m by far not racist, I agree that generalizing is very wrong, i respect all humans across all walks of life. Its just that I dont understand the geographic crime statistics. In other words, are the neighborhoods (Bed Sty, East New York, all those project complexes, Harlem etc) bad/scary (one would not dare walk thru at night) because black people live there, or do black people live in bad/scary neighborhood? which comes first, the chicken or the egg, the black people or the crimes.
I was once jumped by 2 black youngsters (for by phone and cash) in the project complex area next to Dombo (brooklyn). As I was trying to hang in to be belongings, another black man walked by. As he passed us, I asked for help, guess what he did… smiled and walked away! When the cops arrived the crooks where already in their project criminally filled save safe-haven. You see what im saying…