Could A 4 Year Policing Degree Save Black Lives?

        Given the awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement that has recently struck the globe, people are looking for concrete actions to end a fight that has gone on far too long. Much of this discussion has led to the discovery of major flaws in our policing system, resulting in innocent black lives being lost as a result. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Atatiana Jefferson, Ahmaud Arbery, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, D’andre Campbell, and so many more.

        Save Me Save We believes in conversation; using our thoughts, education, and voice to speak up about topics that matter. In SMSW’s podcast series, Home but Not Alone, episode 3 takes the following stance: Police officers should be required to complete a 4-year policing degree to enter the force. The episode is a conversation between Junior Moaku-Matia, Sehkahnee Reynolds, and Michael Clemons, black men living in both Canada and the United States. They outline and discuss the current requirements needed for someone to enter the force, the concerns and experiences that this system has manifested, and then dive into the benefits that a policing-specific degree could yield for our communities.

        We rely on doctors to keep us healthy, lawyers to protect our rights, and police officers to keep us safe. Why is it that to become a police officer, the required education is significantly less than other heavily relied-upon careers? Turns out, there fails to be an adequate answer to this question. Episode 3, Why Officers Need a Four Year Policing Degree, explores the deep implications of this. Join this important conversation with Save Me Save We by listening to the podcast and letting us know what you think.

- Carly Hominuk 

 Podcast