Series 2: Culture of Policing
“Balancing how we police and engage our communities matters. I believe officers must not only enforce the law but should also be problem-solvers invested in their communities. This new era of police reform demands accountability for those who abuse their authority and discretion.”
— Aisha Braveboy
Policing Speakers
The History of Slave Catchers and Modern Day Police
SERGEANT THOMAS NGUYEN-PHUOC
Thomas Nguyen, a 1st generation Vietnamese American started his professional police career in 2007 with the Yale University Police Department in New Haven, Connecticut. In 2017 He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and is also a certified police instructor in the area of Use of Force.
In his career, Thomas received two Life Saving Medals and the Medal of Valor from the Yale University Police Department. He also received a second Medal of Valor from the Connecticut Police Chief’s Association in 2015.
In 2012 Thomas was appointed by the Connecticut House of Representatives as a Public Safety Commissioner for the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. Thomas superseded world-renowned forensic Dr. Henry Lee in that position.
That commission was tasked to address the health and welfare of the Asian community within Connecticut. He collaborates with reform groups such as the Dream Corps. and the Institute of American Police Reform in hopes of changing policing in the United States for the better.
The Impact of Policy on Policing
NARIESSA SMITH: LAWYER
Nariessa Smith is a lawyer, speaker, teacher, and journalist. For over a decade, Nareissa worked as a law professor. During that time, she taught Criminal Law, U.S. Constitutional Law, and classes such as Critical Race Theory. As a result, Nareissa understands the many ways the American legal system perpetuates racism, sexism, and other forms of inequality. Nareissa also possesses a deep knowledge of African American history and is a sought-after speaker on the subject.
Nareissa is a summa cum laude graduate of Spelman College and a magna cum laude graduate of Howard University School of Law.
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Black America’s Conversation about Asian Hate
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Louis L. Reed is the Director of Organizing and Partnerships for Dream Corps JUSTICE. Louis is a board-certified addictions counselor and licensed alcohol & addictions practitioner. Prior to joining #Cut50, Louis was the Connecticut Policy Strategist for the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice where he worked on SB-13, and ran his own addiction and mental health practice in Bridgeport, CT, serving clients across Southern Connecticut.
Louis’s experience in government includes conceptualizing and serving as director of the Mayor’s Office for Reentry Affairs in the City of Bridgeport, CT. There, he developed systems and practices for the City to coordinate employment, housing, access to treatment, and other services for all persons impacted by the criminal justice system both in and after returning to the City after incarceration.
Louis is a Council of Criminal Justice trustee, Forbes Coaches Council Member, Huffington Post contributor on Prison Traumatic Stress Disorder, and has appeared on CNN, CBSN, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and in national publications.
Louis has received many awards recognizing his work and leadership, including recognition by The Brigadoon’s 2020 top 20 influential leaders, Black People Rock, and a 2021 Ebony Magazine Power 100 nomination. Louis lives in Connecticut, consults in strategic partnerships/organizing, and also operates his practice part-time.
The Governments Connection to Policing
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN POLITICS & POLICE
Aisha Braveboy is the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, making her the top law enforcement officer for over 900,000 citizens and residents. Her commitment is to bring changes to the way individuals and cases are handled while ensuring that justice is served fairly, particularly in black communities. As a result, she implemented the Conviction and Sentencing Integrity Unit, the only one of its kind in the State, which reviews cases where there are questions or doubts about a sentence that has been handed down. She also implemented the Public Integrity Unit, which focuses on police misconduct, excessive use of force, and corruption cases.
Donate- Please contribute to Aisha N. Braveboy political endeavors.
Re-Imagining The Police
From the Founders of The Black Wealth Series
Conclusion & Town Hall of Series 2
Join us for this Zoom meeting to share what we learned, our key takeaways, and how together we will create the police system for all.
“Knowledge is not power, it is only potential. Applying that knowledge is power. Understanding why and when to apply that knowledge is wisdom!”
- Takeda Shingen