Minority Hiring Practices in Law Enforcement

I am a recent graduate of Salt Lake Community College's Institute of Public Safety. After much thought and consideration, I decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. I am writing in regards to my experiences both in the law enforcement academy as well as those ensuing graduation. I feel it is the right time for America to hear my story and hopefully this will help put an end to some of the discriminatory teachings and hiring practices of numerous agencies around the country.

D.T. 1090: Management & Recognition of Excited Delirium/Agitated Chaotic Event™. This is one of many racially biased classes taught in the police academy. Despite excited delirium/excited delirium syndrome not being accepted by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the American Medical Association (AMA) as being an actual condition, cadets were taught the material anyway. Moreover, cadets were taught, me included, this fictitious condition affects mostly African-Americans. Considering the fact there isn't any scientific or statistical data strong enough to gain support from either the APA or AMA, teaching excited delirium/excited syndrome creates a false racial bias. Excited delirium is oftentimes linked as an outcome associated with use of physical control measures such as police restraint which serves as an indirect means of endorsing/justifying the use of physical control techniques more liberally toward African-Americans.

Considering that I am of Moorish (Black) and Latino ancestry, I found this class beyond highly offensive. When I politely questioned the instructor and explained to him that no one in my family has ever suffered from the disorder, this is when it was revealed that excited delirium is not accepted by any major medical or psychological institutions. Considering that arrest rates are disproportionately higher for minorities (especially African-Americans) than whites, this could perhaps easily explain this discrepancy. For me as a cadet, listening to this rhetoric was not only degrading, but the influence it had on my all White peers was even worse. It changed how African-Americans (Blacks) were viewed and basically states we are more prone to excited delirium, as well as the "condition's" symptoms (i.e., anxiety, irrational behavior, violence, disorientation, etc.) more than other races. It painted a picture, in my opinion, of African-Americans as incompetent fools that basically ask for more brutal treatment because according to the instructor/excited delirium, we are "brutes". It also negatively influenced my suitability for a job in law enforcement.

I also had to constantly endure instructors asking in a demeaning manner, why I had chosen law enforcement as a career. I was treated as an inconvenience and felt that I was unwanted by not all, but the majority of the school's instructors. It wasn't a curiosity about my decision, it was a finite questioning of my decision. I'm too small, too soft spoken, I don't fit the regular "profile" of a police officer, etc. Instead of cultivating my differences, they were used as a weapon against me. Upon graduation, I received horrible peer reviews completed by anonymous class peers. In response to my criticism of the class taught on excited delirium, a classmate accused me of "playing the race card" and having an unwillingness to learn. I received another review stating I was unmotivated...I am confident in saying that none of this is true considering that I worked hard and put myself through college, earning a bachelors degree, as well as through the police academy. These racist and untrue statements stay on file forever, and have continued to cost me jobs some 30+ applications later. Below, is a list of all of the places I've applied to in Utah.

Graduation hasn't been any better. Despite the message of law enforcement being we need more women, more college educated officers, more diversity, etc., it hasn't held true when it comes to actual hiring. I am ranked high, pushed through the motions of hiring for months, and turned down for the job each time. I reiterate, I've placed in over 30+ applications in Utah alone. I've applied to the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office 3x, and last time I was told that I wasn't hired because I verbally told them I was fired from Wal-Mart almost over 4 years ago instead of writing it on my application during the interview. These were Sergeant Moleni's exact words to me. If this information was found through investigative measures, or I failed to disclose, I would've understood the agency's decision. Bountiful did not even bother to schedule me an interview after the written/essay and physical tests. I am an English major and I passed the physical...I'm not sure why I wasn't invited back. Especially considering that I was the only Black there, and one of maybe four people who did not look European/White. Clearfield would have to be the strangest of case–After passing the written test and interview portion, I was actually extended a job offer. However, it was later rescinded they said because of information I willingly disclosed. When I applied again, I was barred from trying out again without a reason given as to why. Park City refuses to even give me an interview when job openings are available. While I am not perfect, I am far from a criminal. The only blemish I have on my entire record, both juvenile and adult, is a contempt of court charge for having telephone contact with my ex-girlfriend during an investigation because she alleged I assaulted her. I want to put heavy emphasis on the fact that all charges were dismissed. Contempt of court is the only mark and I have NEVER assaulted anyone.

I have been treated as if having a contempt of court and being accused of crime (not convicted, but accused) is the worse thing that could ever happen. Despite the fact that there have been cops hired with mental illnesses, racial biases, grand theft auto, drug charges, and other serious offenses. The real issue I believe is that I'm not being hired because I had a 4 year lesbian relationship and this has to be disclosed due to the contempt of court charge for cellphone usage and because it's supposed to be a cop's job to be honest. This is in addition to the peer reviews and other negativity. I honestly am not sure why I haven't been picked up. I've had numerous bad experiences with getting employed here in Utah as a cop. I've been on several occasions mistaken for someone coming in as a complainant or an offender despite being in interviewing attire, and constantly asked if I came to Utah because I have something to hide in a non-joking manner. My whole experience here has been negative when it comes to law enforcement. I got invited to a Johnny Cash cover band show, being from Tennessee, I love Cash. Well, it was in Coalville and I was the driver. The officer pulled me over for going 4 over the limit, told me I didn't look like someone who'd be coming down this way, pulled me out of my car, asked if I've ever been arrested for drugs, and what I was doing on the highway...All of this for a 5'2, 118 lbs. female...I definitely do not believe this would've happened if I were white.

Airport Police, American Fork, Bountiful, Cedar City, Centerville, Clearfield, Cottonwood Heights, Dept. of Natural Resources, Draper, Granite City School District, Glenwood Springs CO, Intermountain Healthcare Police, Lehi, Layton 2x, Lone Peak, Midvale, Murray 2x, North Ogden, Orem, Park City 3+, Park City Sheriffs, Provo, Salem, Salt Lake City Sheriffs, Sandy, Saratoga Springs,  Spanish Fork, South Jordan, State of Utah (Special Agent), Syracuse, UHP 2x, Unified, Utah Dept of Corrections, UVU, Woods Cross, West Valley, Weber County Sheriff's, and countless more. University of Utah won't even hire me for security. The rest have been out of state. I will have to look through my email to find the rest. I'd also like to say I've been an active participant in the law enforcement community. I attended 2 memorial runs for fallen officers, scheduled ride alongs, etc. 

A Season of Sentiment

I am missing Tennessee and this holiday season has me blue. I will find out if I will be employed with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office this upcoming week...wish me much luck! I'm ready to begin my adult career and be a better provider to my family. My current salary just isn't going to cut it. "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope"—Martin Luther King Jr. I learned that quote from an almost lover. By the way, the picture above was taken by Megan!

Anyway, I am looking forward to getting my hunting license for the state of Utah. I have always been a gun enthusiast and find it highly rewarding to literally put "meat on the table". Recently, I shot the Springfield M1A Scout Squad model and believe I want it as my next hunting rifle. It was highly reliable, lightweight (8.8 lbs. empty), accurate, and solid. The rifle is definitely a lot more "top heavy", but it's a small price to pay. Recoil was almost non-existent and the rifle stayed on target for followup shots. Then there's the FN Scar 17s...I'll admit: I need it, but I want it. While there are numerous rifles out there that will get the job done, this one simply gets it done eloquently. 

Weighing in at only 7.9 lbs., 700 meters effective range (766 yds.), and just gorgeous! Truth be told, I have not fired either weapon from more than 250 ft (83 yds.). The effective firing range for the M1A is 500 yds. I believe, which is still more than plenty. I've never splurged on a weapon before, and I have other weapon-related needs (e.g., I just purchased carrier plate vests for the family without plates). The big price tag for the Scar can be attributed to the fact that FN Herstal has a contract with the U.S. Military. You pay for quality, name, and fame. Anyway, I will not be making any purchases until the beginning/middle of next year, stay tuned! Thank you all for your time and consideration. Below, is a list of things I've included or wish to add to my own home survival kit:

1. Tactical Shotgun
2. Pistol(s)
3. Reliable Hunting Rifle
4. Bathtub Water Storage Container
5. FIRST AID
6. 200 Rounds of Ammo (for every caliber you own. 1000+ for pistol/primary defense)
7. Reliable Safe/Supplies Storage
*To be continued...

Just a Modern-Day Pioneer

Summer is coming to an end and I can start to feel the changes. The above picture is from our 5 day peregrination through the Uintas. We visited many beautiful places while the weather was fair, but this one by far, was my favorite. The days were perfect, the air unpolluted, and the nights cold. We spent our time fishing, listening to thoughts, sitting around campfires, and imagining a different time in the same place. The feeling to stay is always so strong. It's so much fun to throw away time counting stars...

Anyway, I've spoken about the travels of my family, but haven't actually spoke of my family yet (Ready-set-go!). My partner (Megan) of over 3 years sent for me a year after she moved out here and scoped things out. I am so thankful to have found such a strong, beautiful creature (she's unworldly!). Not to mention intelligent...She snowboards professionally and still finds the time to be a rocket scientist for a big aerospace company. She is an amputee and a total inspiration to everyone she encounters, including me. We are the proud parents of two fur babies (I promise to post photos), Cappy (poodle) and Sirius (Yes, from Harry Potter, cat). We both came from the south, so I am so grateful for the pets. I am obligated to power through cold, winter morning walks and afternoon hikes thanks to them. Megan on the other hand, LOVES the cold weather. Like fire and ice...

Leaving Tennessee behind was extremely difficult not only because of the food and abundance of culture, but because I had to leave most of my family behind. I am great at meeting new friends, in love with Utah's geography, but my mind is still roaming across the rolling hills of my homeland. They say home is where the heart is...Megan is originally from Alabama and this is her first time living outside of Huntsville. I've lived in the country and later moved to a big city. You never know what you're missing until it's gone holds true for sure. Also, as an aspiring homesteader, the east coast just seems more ideal.

The Plan

I've spent the past few days trying to conjure up a real business plan. I've had the ideas in my head for years now. Unfortunately, my head cannot be hooked up to a projector. Nothing too elaborate (yet). Naturally, it should be sustainable and a project that gives you confidence with a dash of adventure.

First, geographic location and plot size. My grandparents had a 210 acre farm in Tennessee with plenty of room for growth. After reading about the Homestead Act of 1862 (it was later doubled to 320, then 640), I've decided that 160+ acres is feasible. It leaves room for expansion, land leasing, crop rotation, and different types of farms (tree farm, hunting farm, etc.). It's important to keep an open mind and be adaptable.

Then there's finding 1-3 projects to cultivate in the first 3 years (realistically the first 5 years) of business. I want my plan to consist of one costly investment/risk, and two projects that are safe/generate income. The latter two should be as least stressful as possible, sustainable, and cheap, but not at the expense of quality. Thinking small isn't always a bad thing and I know it'll lead to more creative opportunities farther down the road.

Next, the most difficult task. Everything needs to be put in writing (a business plan), ideas need to be presented to potential business partners (never go in without a presentation), and networking needs to start. Attend networking events! Until I actually got serious about wanting to start my own business, I did not know such a thing existed. Research the law, licenses that need to be obtained, and most importantly, how much money do you need to take care of you.

In the future, I am sure things will be added/omitted as I delve deeper into creating a sustainable, and someday perhaps profitable, homestead. Please feel free to hand out advice, ideas, and share real life experiences! I know right now I'm mostly optimistic with a realistic take on potential snafus, so don't be afraid to give me the ugly truth. I promise it's not enough to crush this dream because no one goes into homesteading/farming without having their hearts in the rights places. I will be adding more to this blog and I am sorry posts are appearing at snail pace. I have been busy seeking employment in law enforcement and share the good news in my next blog.

Home on the Preordained Range

 I am not a complete narcissist, though I seldom do think of myself from time to time. I am a recent college graduate—English major, political science minor. My goal was to become a practicing attorney. After more than eight impersonal, generic law school rejection letters, I decided to revaluate my career goals. Eight months of NPOST (National Peace Officer Selection Test) training, aka, the police academy ensued. First of all, I will start by saying it is not as glamorous as it sounds.

It was a curriculum full of intense exercise, rigorous training, and being trapped in a room of super inflated egos. However, I managed to survive and graduate. Right now, my time is totally consumed by the cumbersome task of finding employment. I've lost count of how many agencies I've applied with; I remain effervescent/resilient. I am officially Special Functions and Law Enforcement Officer certified, now to find somewhere to actually enforce the law.

In mention of time, it has been a difficult concept to grasp. Instead of dragons and quests, it's been a tiresome adventure full of insensitive bureaucracies and dead end jobs. While some will argue working for minimum wage (a.k.a. indentured servitude), is not enough to rival even the weakest of dark magic, a lot of people do it each day. We've become so complacent and afraid to speak our minds in fear of the repercussions that may ensue. I stand on my feet 9 hours a day, used for everything from the neck down by so many corporations. In fear of a loss of employment, I decline from any gratuitous use of my current employer's name.

How will these people ever get ahead in life if someone is always out to take their legs? And the sad thing is, I feel it too. I feel myself slowly beginning to degenerate. This is what lead me to Home on the Preordained Range. Instead of continuing to surround myself with the sounds of bodies groaning, knees creaking, and mouthes moaning, I've decided I want to homestead with three of the most remarkable people I know. I am confident working the land and policing can be done simultaneously. Considering I come from a line of farmers, I feel it's in my veins to pursue this opportunity to preserve this family tradition.

This blog will consist mainly of bicycles, politics, and homesteading. It will follow my life and hopefully change at least one. I am sorry if this is a deal breaker for many or leaving a bad first impression. It's just the nature of the beast. I would like to close by stating that I am not anti corporatism; I just wish they (since corporations are now people) would go back to treating workers with dignity. I hope to someday create my own corporate climate surrounded by happy, healthy workers. I'll leave you with the "Maid Needs a Maid" by Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton.