CMPD Holds Transparency Workshop For The Public

CHARLOTTE, NC– “This is what we asked for, we asked for transparency,” said protestors, Greg Jackson.

Greg Jackson is one of the people who protested following the deadly police shooting of Keith Scott in September, so he jumped at the chance to sign up for the workshop.

“We wanted that available now that it’s available it’s our job to show up it’s our job to be active and take advantage of these workshops,” said Jackson.

Workshops that are open to anyone in the public, except media cameras. So we asked why no cameras in a transparency workshop.

“We want to create an environment that they can ask questions and not have to worry about what thousands of people may think,” said CMPD Captain Rob Dance.

Sean Corbett, owner of Da Lucky Spot Barber Shop on North Tryon has been advocating for a better relationship between police and the black community. He agrees with the no cameras policy.

“You want to give the community an opportunity to say what they want to say and not feel like it’s going to be blasted all over TV because these conversations are much needed,” said Corbett.

Some attending the workshop like Geana Reynolds hope to learn more to help keep their neighborhoods safer.

“There is also, unfortunately, an increase in crime in our neighborhood, LFA’s breaking and entering that sort of thing,” said Reynolds.

Each workshop consists of three sessions once a week. In the last week, they’ll experience the firearms simulator to put themselves in the shoes of police officers in real life situations.

“As we try to learn from the community and go out into the communities and hear from them it’s important for them to come to our house and learn from us as well,” said Capt. Dance.