National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum to host panel discussion on Wednesday, September 9 addressing coronavirus and its impact on law enforcement.
Washington, DC— The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum will host a free virtual panel discussion, Equitable Policing During the Coronavirus Pandemic, examining how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the role of law enforcement officers across the country on Wednesday, September 9 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm (EDT).
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the role of police has expanded to include the enforcement of public health safety regulations in congruence with local, state, and federal law. In an interactive discussion, participants will share current practices, pitfalls, and priorities from experts across several fields.
The tragedy and scope of COVID-19 has shown its face in astronomical death tolls and extreme personal sacrifice, with the weight of the pandemic falling hardest on minority communities specifically on those of Black and Latino Americans. While members of these communities are becoming infected and dying of COVID-19 at higher rates than others, they are also finding themselves in more contact with local law enforcement because of social distancing and additional pandemic-related regulations.
“It’s no secret that the role of law enforcement officers across the country had already expanded to include job functions that traditionally fell to social workers and mental health counselors,” said National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto. “With the coronavirus at the forefront of our everyday lives, these officers are now tasked with an even greater responsibility in their efforts to keep our communities safe.”
Moderated by Ganesha Martin, president of G.M.M. Consulting, a panel of experts will discuss the challenges of enforcing coronavirus regulations, its impact across different communities, and how that has affected initiatives focused on more equitable policing. Ms. Martin, a lawyer and noted expert on police reform issues, focuses on uniting communities of color and the police who swear to serve and protect them.
Participants in the virtual panel discussion include:
Moderator:
- Ganesha Martin, Esquire and President, G.M.M. Consulting
- Judge Ernest F. Hart, Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters, New York (NY) Police Department
- Eric Adams, President, Brooklyn (NY) Borough
- Wendy Calaway, Professor, University of Cincinnati, OH
- Officer James Sobota, Houston (TX) Police Department
- Chief Brad Wells, Wood River (IL) Police Department
Closed Captioning will be available for this panel discussion. This event is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Target. Register for the virtual panel discussion here.
Media who wish to attend may contact Robyn Small at 202-737-8524.
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About the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial contains the names of 22,217 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. For more information about the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, visit LawMemorial.org. Authorized by Congress in 2000, the 57,000-square-foot National Law Enforcement Museum at the Motorola Solutions Foundation Building tells the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience along with educational journeys, immersive exhibitions, and insightful programs. The Museum is an initiative of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information on the Law Enforcement Museum, visit LawEnforcementMuseum.org.
Robyn Small
[email protected]
(202) 737-8524