New Course From SOCY, UMPD Investigates: Can Conversations Improve Police-Community Relations?

Not everyone can—or wants to—slide into a police cruiser for a ride-along and a literal front-row seat to law enforcement.

But what about sharing a classroom instead of a car, or stepping into virtual reality scenarios, as openings to talk about policing—including tough topics like racial discrimination, protesting and strained community relations?

A University of Maryland course that debuted this semester, “Bridging Perspectives: Critical Conversations Between Students and Police,” brings together a noted expert on racial inequities in policing, a University of Maryland Police Department official and 20 undergraduates to dig into the factors underlying our nation’s troubled past and present in police-community relationships.

Students and police officers “ultimately want the same goal: peace and harmony, and positive community relations,” said sociology Professor Rashawn Ray. “But often they’re coming from different sides of that equation, and the way to move forward often is through academic discourse and dialogue.”

The class, which is open to all majors, is co-taught by UMPD Capt. August Kenner, the department’s community engagement commander, and is based on a curriculum developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Ray adapted the course material to be more tailored to his work on racial bias, community policing and how law enforcement is organized.

Photo is by John T. Consoli

Published on Mon, Apr 1, 2024 - 10:11AM