Learn How To Safely Engage With Local Police Officers
Interaction between the public and law enforcement will be the center of a Community-Law Enforcement Safety Forum next month. Local law enforcement leaders will discuss several aspects of community/officer encounters on September 8th at Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy (2800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard).
The 5:00pm forum will last two hours, will include light refreshments and feature panel discussions and demonstrations on a variety of topics, including traffic stop safety, police report procedures and guidance on reporting officer interactions.
The forum will also address residents’ rights during traffic stops, officer body cameras, vehicle cameras, and the right for the public to record. It will also include a mock traffic stop
A traffic stop can be a stressful experience for drivers and officers. From the time the red and blue lights go on behind a driver, emotions increase but a planned mock traffic stop at the forum will teach drivers what to expect and how to react. It will inform participants about their rights, responsibilities, and proper interactions with officers to ensure that traffic stops end safely for drivers as well as officers.
Moderators Jabaree Prewitt of WVUA TV Senior News Anchor and Townsquare Media’s Mary K. Schmitt will lead the discussion involving Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy, Tuscaloosa County Chief Alex Miles, Tuscaloosa County Lt. Marcus Bell, and Tuscaloosa City Deputy Chief Sebo Sanders as panelists.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Tuscaloosa Chapter has partnered with local law enforcement, media, and community organizations to sponsor the free event.
The forum comes in the wake of conflicting reports on crime reports in Tuscaloosa. The Tuscaloosa Police Department reports violent, and property crimes are down significantly. A day later Wasatch Defense Lawyers published the "2025 Most Dangerous College Towns" list with Tuscaloosa at number two.
Read More: Violent And Property Crimes Down In Tuscaloosa, City Data Shows
Read More: Tuscaloosa Lands On Most Dangerous College Towns List
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