On Saturday, WCCO Radio presented an important day of round table discussion about racism in Minnesota and America. Sheletta Brundidge was joined by Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie to moderate the discussion which included several community and religious leaders.
Sheletta, one of WCCO Producers and host of the Two Haute Mamas podcast was asked to participate in a program with Sheriff Leslie in Dakota County over three months ago. They hoped to create more conversation around race and inequality in a private program meant to improve community relations. When coronavirus closed down gatherings around the state, the sheriff's program was put on hold.
After the death of George Floyd and the aftermath which included protests, some riots and violence, and calls for reform not just in Minnesota but all around the world, Sheletta and Sheriff Leslie decided to put this important conversation on WCCO instead.
RELATED: Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie talks about Community/Police Relations with Cory Hepola.
LISTEN AND LERN: #GeorgeFloyd's death made an impact, but how do we maintain it so we can have change for a lifetime? We start with a #courageousconversation today on @wccoradio. @timlforsheriff and I will host a town hall starting at 4 to talk about race and community policing. pic.twitter.com/q9poa69JzF
— Sheletta Brundidge (@ShelettaIsFunny) June 6, 2020As we now hear calls for disbanding the Minneapolis Police Department by the City Council, the relationship between community and law enforcement are as strained as they have been in recent history. Sheriff Leslie supports those that are calling for changes to be made in policing the community they represent as law enforcement officers.
"You should be angry and you should demand change," Sheriff Leslie told Sheletta Brundidge on WCCO Radio. "Work on restoring the trust, so people aren't afraid to call the police. There should not be fear. You should know your officers that police your community. We are not a bunch of jack-booted thugs that come into your community and arrest people. We're human beings and we need to have lines of communication open so we know where we can improve. Clearly there are things we need to do to fix those relationships. "
WCCO's Henry Lake also hosted a roundtable on racism Saturday which you can listen to here.
You can click on the players below to listen to all three hours of the broadcast, "A Courageous Conversation on Race and Community Policing".
Hour1
Hour 2
Hour 3
