In an unexpected team up, the Champaign Police and local county chapter of the NAACP talked to Champaign students about interacting with police. From today's News-Gazette:
Facing the CriticsMore at the full article here.
Chief Unfazed by Students' Negative Reaction, Aims to Reverse it.
The easiest question Jefferson Middle School seventh-graders fielded Monday might have come from that day’s special guest — Anthony Cobb.
The Champaign police chief kicked off a series of presentations by asking the cafeteria gathering: “Is there anyone in this room who doesn’t like the police?”
Hands flew up — more being raised than not.
For Cobb, one of the goals of Monday was to reverse that. And if he couldn’t change their perceptions through the video and information he brought to show them, at least the students could leave knowing more about their rights and what to do if they’re ever stopped by police.
That was why Cobb, along with local NAACP President Minnie Pearson, showed up Monday, he said. Pearson added that the event marked the first time anything like it — with NAACP backing— had occurred in Unit 4 schools.
“I think in addition to the wonderful job Unit 4 is doing, we want to also look after the safety of children and make them aware ... that they don’t have a negative view of police,” Pearson said. “The more you know about your police officers, who are sworn to protect and serve, you will be more apt to trust them and when you see something, say something.”
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