For over 16 years I have been trying to build partnerships with local law enforcement agencies in the Memphis/Shelby County area. It has been a difficult journey, kind of like riding a rollercoaster full of unexpected turns, high speed, stops, holds, upside down and backward movements, resistance, threats, etc. It has been a unique experience that I’ll treasure as an opportunity to step up to the challenge. Unfortunately, all over the country, many Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) see bold and strong advocates as adversaries just because we dare to speak up and report police abuse, discrimination, biases, and violations of civil rights against vulnerable communities. It is even more difficult if it comes from Latin@/Immigrant advocates who refuse to be silent and who speak English as a second language.
Some local LEAs are resistant to acknowledge and understand that if they don’t provide interpretation services to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) people, they are violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Some LEAs can’t stand the fact that we continue to push and stress that we don’t have time to waste when people’s lives are at risk, especially if language is a barrier. Other LEAs have expressed a lack of interest in partnering to provide Language Access training because they are only focusing on the “TN POST training requirements.” Unfortunately for them, as a Police Chief mentioned at a meeting I attended: “It can take only one report to the Department of Justice of a violation of Title VI, for an investigation to be opened.” Anyway, some police departments will do it by themselves, while others will be forced to do it.
I have 2 success stories to share with you today. In 2017, we had a client who was a victim of a crime that qualified for a U-Visa. The crime occurred in Collierville, TN, and I was very concerned because some members of the Hispanic community had negative experiences when interacting with the Collierville Police Department. Long story short, I reached out to Capt. Locke (retired), and requested a meeting to talk about the U-Certification (Supplement B) for the U-Visa case of one of our clients. The meeting lasted over 2 hours and Assistant Chief Jeff Abeln was also present. They had heard about me and wanted to know about my journey as an advocate and why I founded CasaLuz. They invited me to participate in their In-Service training to facilitate training for cultural sensitivity, Title VI, and responding to LEP people. I couldn’t believe it! I was speechless because I didn’t even offer to provide any training. I gave them the U-Certification paperwork our partner attorney had prepared, and they said they would have a response by the following week. Capt. Locke called me and said that I needed to go to his office in person. I didn’t know what to expect. When I arrived, I was welcomed by Chief Larry Goodwin (RIP), who hand-delivered the signed U-Certification. I was so excited and told him how grateful I was and what it would mean, not just to our client, but to our community. His response was “We at the Collierville Police Department are grateful for your advocacy and your determination to assist your clients and we are looking forward to you providing training and to continue working together.” After Chief Goodwin retired, the new Chief, Dale Lane, has been a strong ally and has continued to enhance our partnership. They have participated in some of our community outreach events, we have provided multiple training sessions, and he has even invited other agencies.
My experience with the Memphis Police Department has been more difficult, but I respect that they have never allowed the gap to be so deep that it stopped us from continuing to work together. While some officers were threatening me, others called to offer support. The lines of communication have always been open, and I’m proud of how we have overcome so much negativity and hardship and continue providing mutual support. Also, for the last few years, we have facilitated ongoing training for every recruit class.
In the photo below is MPD Col. Willie Mathena and some of his staff from the Tillman Precinct, including the Hispanic Liaison Kathya Buruca. Col. Mathena reached out to me requesting a meeting. We had a very productive discussion and even worked on an action plan to address some issues pertaining to the Hispanic community in that area.
Even though there are some bad apples in police agencies, who use their badges and authority to abuse vulnerable communities, as is also the case among professionals in other fields, we have more of the best in blue inside police departments. They are the bravest, risking their lives to keep us safe. Some officers cheer for advocates on their journeys for justice, equity, and support. They see us as allies, work with us as a team with a common goal to serve our communities, and even empower us to keep up the good fight on behalf of some of the most vulnerable in our communities, such as the clients CasaLuz serves. We honor, appreciate, and support the “good apples” within all the police departments.
