Nevada System of Higher Ed. hosts discussion on police and discrimination
RENO, Nev. (News 4-Fox 11) — On Thursday, the Nevada System of Higher Education(NSHE) hosted a discussion surrounding policing and discrimination on universities in Nevada. Chancellor of NSHE, Thom Reilly, carried the discussion between student and law enforcement leaders from both the University of Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno.
The discussion led off with a sharing of experiences that started with George Floyd's death last month. Chief Adam Garcia with University Police Services Southern Command said, "I thought it was sick. It was just not reflective of the many folks that I know that are law enforcement."
Chief Todd Renwick with University Police Services Northern Command added: "I think what angered me the most was the individuals wearing this badge that stood by and did nothing."
Chancellor Reilly focused on the future with his line of questioning though, asking Associated Students of the University of Nevada President Dominique Hall what change she would like to see.
Hall called for the demilitarization of police along with working towards a more peaceful approach when it comes to policing. Hall said,
Maybe on college campuses police officers leaving their gun in the car is a good idea. Just to deescalate things.
UNLV basketball player, Marvin Coleman, also weighed in saying he wants to see the world come together and be one of the same with each other -- calling for an attitude shift that results in people looking at each other in the right way.
Hall also suggested more education for officers, so they can better understand culture of different students, and that social work courses should be used to help officers maintain a peace officer mentality.
Chief Renwick agreed that social work training can be beneficial for officers.
Down south, Chief Garcia said he is already working on changes to training:
To ensure that minority groups -- African Americans, Hispanics, others -- are able to come into the academy and teach a block of instruction. No more cops teaching cops. Of course, that has its place in the big part.
Attorney General Aaron Ford also stopped in noting that these conversations are important and he hopes to see some movement on police reform in the special legislative session slated for next week.
