Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Black and Brown law enforcement leaders from across North Carolina gathered at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University for the Sixth Annual Conference of the N.C. Association of Minority Public Safety Officials. The summit focused on navigating the unique challenges of modern policing while fostering deep, authentic community engagement.
Approximately 75 police and sheriff officers engaged in candid discussions regarding the “credibility and legitimacy” of law enforcement. Panelists acknowledged that building trust is particularly complex when serving in jurisdictions where Caucasian residents constitute the majority, or where historical tensions remain high.
Guilford County Sheriff Danny H. Rogers emphasized that his presence in the role is rooted in a desire to close these gaps. “Guilford County is a melting pot,” Rogers noted. “There’s a lot of people that I come in contact with that walk the same walk as I have walked... [it is vital] to listen to their heart and find out what is really going on.”
A key highlight of the conference was a mentorship session with A&T students aspiring to careers in criminal justice. The leadership panel, including High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III and N.C. A&T Police Chief Robert Hassell, offered direct advice for navigating the recruitment process:
Panelists warned students to be entirely truthful during the application phase, noting that departments share comprehensive background information. Leaders also encouraged students to “be yourself,” stressing that diverse perspectives are essential for evolving the culture of public safety.
The urgency of the conference’s mission is underscored by current state demographics. While agencies are making strides toward diversity, North Carolina’s law enforcement workforce remains predominantly White, at approximately 78 percent. Black or African American officers make up roughly 16 percent of sworn personnel, while Hispanic and Latino officers represent about four percent. These figures highlight the significant “representation gap” that leaders at the summit are working to bridge, ensuring that departments more closely mirror the diverse communities they serve.
The conference drew significant leadership from Guilford County, reflecting a localized push for diverse representation at the highest levels of command. Attendees included Greensboro Assistant Police Chiefs Richard Alston and Stephanie Mardis, and Chief Deputy Sheriff N.Z. Wiseman.
