John, As Black History Month comes to an end, the Law Enforcement Action Partnership honors our Black speakers, who have provided such incredible leadership to LEAP, and to their communities, over the years.
Research has shown many policing practices to be institutionally racist - resulting in harsher penalties for people of color, even though they are no more likely to commit a particular crime than white people, and even absent racist intentions on the part of individual officers. It is crucial for a successful policing model to have diverse perspectives and life experiences reflected in police decision-making. Our communities expect equal representation within police departments: it helps in understanding the community's needs, and allows police to approach our mission from a place of empathy, partnership, and willingness to learn. Ultimately, policing is a choice, a career, and a responsibility to our communities, and Black officers often face challenges that others in the field do not. We honor those who got into this profession to serve their communities, knowing that it was not the easy choice, and that it may be painful at times. LEAP are law enforcement validators, supporting our communities and advocating for policies that make us all safer. We know that Black communities have suffered the impact of these policies more than most. We know that needs to change. And we know the only way to do that is to offer solutions that are built on the community’s needs. It’s up to us to listen, to be fully invested, and to commit to a better way forward. With our Community Responder Model, we are removing police from the equation when they don’t need to be there, allowing police and their communities to heal and build better relationships, as equal stakeholders in their neighborhoods. When our law enforcement experts call for accountability and transparency in policing, policymakers listen. And in troubled times, our speakers address the issues directly, from a place of unique understanding and compassion. We are incredibly proud to say we have strong Black leadership on our Board of Directors, including all three officers: our chair, Deputy Chief Wayne Harris (Ret.), our secretary, Professor Jody Armour, and of course our treasurer, former executive director, Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), who led the organization with such wisdom and vision for ten years. Today and every day, our speakers and our Black communities have our gratitude, our respect, and our partnership. Together, we are working to build a justice system rooted in accountability, transparency, and equity. In solidarity,
Diane & the LEAP Staff 
Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.)
Executive Director |
