ShopTalk: The Paradox of Being a Black Police Officer in Today's Society

Let's Talk About Work. Come to this ShopTalk event to hear ideas and stories about work, and share your own. ShopTalk conversations are about the past, present, and future of work in Wisconsin. On Tuesday, March 6 the La Crosse Public Library will be hosting Office Corey Saffold of the Madison Police Department for a talk on "The Paradox of Being a Black Police Officer in Today's Society."

Officer Corey Saffold is a law enforcement professional in Madison, and is known in the community for his volunteerism and his work with youth of all ages and demographic backgrounds. In addition to his service throughout the city of Madison, Officer Saffold is entrusted by his superiors to do the sensitive work of policing in one of the city’s larger public high schools as a School Liaison Officer. In his talk, Corey will discuss his experiences as a Black policeman in the wake of multiple, highly publicized killings of unarmed African-Americans by police officers. Additionally, Officer Saffold will address the paradox of being a Black officer during a time when police are viewed as an enemy and are often not trusted, especially among the African-American community. The shooting and killing of unarmed African-Americans has intensified already strained relations between the community and the police. As such, Officer Saffold will offer his strategy for engaging the community at large around these issues that have also affected him personally. Corey will relay his personal experiences with law enforcement and how these experiences have helped to shape his approach to upholding the law throughout the city. 

All are welcome. Free and open to the public. ShopTalk is part of the Working Lives Project, a progrmam of the Wisconsin Humanities Council. To learn more about the Working Lives Project, please visit: https://www.wisconsinhumanities.org/programs/current-programs/working-lives