MEMPHIS, Tenn. — From Ferguson, Missouri to New York, images of gun-wielding, riot police in the streets have Shelby County doing what it can to make sure those images don’t repeat themselves here.
Deputies sat down with children and young adults to talk about different situations, and convey life lessons on how there’s a right way and safe way to interact with authority.
The forum was held at New Missionary Baptist Church.
Kids as young as seven-years-old packed into a room to listen to deputies tell their side of the story and what they face when they answer calls.
“He showed us not only how they have to go about doing their jobs, but showed us how as citizens and young people we can go about bettering our relationships with police officers,” said Tieranny Woods.
Woods took part in the forum put on by the Shelby County Mayor’s Office, deputies and church youth directors.
“In light of things that happened from New York to Ferguson, we wanted to be proactive,” said church youth director Derek Flake.
The group learned what to do when they are pulled over like stay inside their car, keep calm and don’t make any sudden movements.
They also learned that their school resource officers are there to help them and listen to their problems. Not hurt them.
The goal was to prevent situations now from escalating in the future.
“A lot of young men were in the class as well. I feel like as a whole we took away a lot of things,” said Woods.
There are instances deputies admit that can get out of hand.
If you feel like law enforcement ever acts inappropriately, you can report the incident to internal affairs.