LEWIS AND 100 BLACK MEN OF DEKALB MEET WITH THE METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE
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100 Black Men of Dekalb (100BMOD), in collaboration with LEWIS, organized a thought-provoking trip to London’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) at Scotland Yard that continues our efforts to bridge the understanding between peace officers and the communities they serve.  With support coming from a grant awarded by Dekalb County, 100BMOD’s Dr. Brandon Mines (LEWIS’ Deputy Director), arranged an intimate round-table discussion for 13 students from 100BMOD’s Leadership Academy with ranking officers in the MPS. This rare meeting of the minds offered bilateral insights into alternate methods of community policing (with a focus on ‘protecting and serving’ in lieu of the militarized law enforcement philosophy commonly found in police departments in the US).  The British officers offered a candid glimpse into the challenges they face daily with an uptick in more aggressive behaviors being exhibited toward the peace officers in the MPS (who do not traditionally carry firearms).  Topics such as transparency, common ground, and active community engagement served as points of agreement for everyone involved.  Dr. Güez Salinas, LEWIS Executive Director, said, “Our collaboration with community partners in the Atlanta area have been fruitful, with Dr. Mines and 100BMOD being a key player in creating touch points where community members and peace officers can have conversations in the right direction towards creating mutual everyday respect.”  Dr. Brandon Mines said, “we had an opportunity to have a positive dialog with the MPS centered on our common desire for everyone to ultimately make it home safely at the end of the day.  We are looking forward to continuing to be a bridge between peace officers and our community to make this common goal a shared reality."