Repairing the ‘trust gap’
In the aftermath of last week’s shooting deaths around the country, including a sniper’s murder of five Dallas officers, Americans angry or discouraged about the state of relations between police and minorities should keep an eye on Wichita.
The city has endured its own controversies in recent years over officers’ use of deadly force against African-Americans and others. But leaders on both sides are trying to work through the tough issues in a spirit of good will and even good times, including by co-hosting a community barbecue Sunday.
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay suggested the event to activists as an alternative to another protest. The First Step Cookout will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday in McAdams Park, 1329 E. 13th St., with officers manning the grills.
More substantively, Ramsay announced plans to establish an independent civilian “police review board” to assess complaints against the department and make recommendations – something activists have long sought, though they’d prefer it have subpoena power. Ramsay also said he wants officers to undergo “cultural competency and diversity training” and would advocate for state legislation requiring police-involved shootings to be investigated by independent prosecutors.
Like the meetings between Ramsay and activists this week, the socializing and promise of meaningful reform are a sharp contrast to confrontational interactions elsewhere that have seen the use of riot gear, tear gas and Tasers.
A Tuesday march in Wichita did stop traffic on 13th Street for a time, but protesters were not allowed to put themselves and drivers at risk by going onto I-135. And as Ramsay said: “No one got hurt. There was no property damage. People got to express their emotions and their First Amendment rights.”
Kansas Highway Patrol and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office were key to maintaining order. Ramsay also credited the demonstrators and organizers for helping keep the peace while making their point.
Those who find fault with the protesters and doubt their cause should consider the experience of Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. In a personal floor speech Wednesday, the conservative African-American senator spoke of the “trust gap” and tension between the black community and law enforcement. He described being stopped by police seven times in one year while an elected official, usually “for driving a new car in the wrong neighborhood or some other reason just as trivial.”
As Scott said: “We must find a way to fill these cracks in the very foundation of our country.” In Wichita, repairs are underway.
This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 12:07 AM with the headline "Repairing the ‘trust gap’."