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.
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