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Houston Matters

Is It Realistic to Remove White Officers from Predominantly Black Neighborhoods?

Last week, following fatal police shootings of black men captured on video in Louisiana and Minnesota, Robert Muhammad, a Nation of Islam representative and student minister, suggested a number of ways to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the black community, including more face-to-face contact, more community involvement and more de-escalation and tension-reduction training […]

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Michael Hagerty, Houston Public MediaLast week, following fatal police shootings of black men captured on video in Louisiana and Minnesota, Robert Muhammad, a Nation of Islam representative and student minister, suggested a number of ways to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the black community, including more face-to-face contact, more community involvement and more de-escalation and tension-reduction training for officers.

But it was another suggestion that some might find more controversial: removing white officers from predominantly black neighborhoods. Is that really the answer? Is it viable? Is it appropriate?

Today, we ask him those questions, and we welcome your questions and comments.

Michael Hagerty

Michael Hagerty

Senior Producer, Houston Matters

Michael Hagerty is the senior producer for Houston Matters. He's spent more than 20 years in public radio and television and dabbled in minor league baseball, spending four seasons as the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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