TROY, Mich. – Over the past few months, Local 4 has been speaking with local police officers about the difficulties of law enforcement in its current state.
The social climate has changed because of a rise in attacks on officers coupled with the protests and shootings of unarmed citizens.
During a town hall meeting in Troy, residents and law enforcement met to discuss the differences in opinions, the reality of the situation, and possible ways to move forward as a community.
Officers at the meeting said they had no idea that residents were incredibly angry about police shootings across the country adding that they’re now seeking a way to unite residents and law enforcement.
Some of the recent attacks on officers include those in Dallas, Texas, where a number of officers were targeted and killed to the latest being in Iowa, where two officers were ambushed in their patrol cars.
Angry citizens have marched in protest across the country with minorities being some of the loudest voices. The voices send a message of the deterioration in the country’s ethics, the unacceptable profiling and the notion that there are different rules for different races.
Residents and law enforcement in Troy have been trying to get to the root of the problem by holding town hall's; one of which was held at Embassy Covenant Church International.
A local pastor who attended the meeting stirred up the room after he claimed to know how to stop white policemen from killing black men.
The pastor insists he is not preaching hate, but harsh facts.
During this meeting, residents met with law enforcement from Inkster, Southfield, Troy and Michigan State Police and there were moments of disagreement and moments of understanding.
Although officers did not like what some of the residents were saying, they said they will continue to come to these meetings in hopes of figuring out a way to bring the community together.