‘Policing in America’ panel to speak Dec. 3

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Three experts with community policing and racial and community advocacy backgrounds will participate in “Policing in America: A Panel Discussion” at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 3. The panel is part of the “Pursuing Racial Justice Together” learning series hosted by Purdue University’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion.

The panel, moderated by Coleman Hughes, will consist of retired Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, John Wood Jr. and retired Sgt. Cheryl Dorsey of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Best worked for 28 years in the Seattle Police Department, where she became the first African American woman to be named chief, before recently retiring. During her tenure as chief, Best was viewed as a champion and leader of reforms, regularly meeting with community leaders and overseeing a decrease in major crimes. She led record-breaking hiring and recruitment initiatives focused on diversifying the force.

Wood is the national ambassador for Braver Angels, a bipartisan organization that works to “bring liberals and conservatives together at the grassroots level to find one another as citizens.” He is a noted writer and speaker on the subjects of political and racial reconciliation. He is also former vice chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles and lives in South Los Angeles.

Dorsey is a retired sergeant for the Los Angeles Police Department, where she served for 20 years in a variety of roles across the department. She was the first African American female officer to attend the LAPD motor school and also serve as officer-in-charge of Newton Area Vice. She served within LAPD’s gang unit, where she frequently encountered drive-by shootings and clashes between rival gangs. Following her retirement, she authored “Black and Blue: The Creation of a Social Advocate,” which chronicles her experiences in the LAPD.

Hughes is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor at City Journal, where he focuses on race, public policy and applied ethics. He recently launched his own podcast, "Conversations with Coleman."

Those interested in attending may visit the program’s website and register for free virtual tickets and admission instructions. Deadline for registration is 3 p.m. ET the day of the event.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer, Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Sources: John Gates, jfgates@purdue.edu

Kate Walker, katewalker@purdue.edu

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