The Case for Community Policing: Lecture by Dave Cazeau

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
6:30-8:30pm

Hunter East Harlem Gallery
2180 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10035 

A Century of Dissent at Hunter East Harlem Gallery is thrilled to host THE CASE FOR COMMUNITY POLICING, a lecture by Dave Cazeau, Phd Candidate at the Graduate Center, CUNY. 

The police department in the United States has historically represented the most oppressive aspects of the country, demonstrated through its treatment of African American and black citizens. The historical approach to law enforcement has been informed by a perspective provided by the wealthier class, which largely sought to maintain their status of privilege in society at the expense of the poor minorities in the country dating back to the antebellum era. Looking at the organization of the police department (PD) through institutional theory, we see that the legitimacy that the organization sought came from the wealthier class, who historically informed and supported local police agendas. Given the current climate, where police reform is a more popularized initiative, community policing, a more socially inclusive approach to law enforcement is explored and suggested for a redefinition of the legitimacy sought by PDs, a legitimacy that will be given its social context in a country where the racial and ethnic demographics are changing.

Dave Cazeau, LMSW
Doctoral Student/Graduate Assistant
Social Welfare Program
The Graduate Center, CUNY
dcazeau@gradcenter.cuny.edu