Lynda Williams, president of NOBLE and a retired secret service agent with more than 30 years in executive security, called the police response on Jan. 6 a “gross failure.”
“There are some new metrics that [law enforcement] needs to put in place to see exactly what a person's ideology is, and that they're able to stand down on their personal opinions and still be able to execute the job,” Williams said in an interview with Prism. “If officers react on their personal agenda, then that shows that we need to look at how we assess and how we evaluate those coming on board and those that are sitting in place.”
Looking at social media accounts, paraphernalia, and tattoos is one place for police departments to start eliminating white supremacy, Price said. Being observant and doing extensive background and reference checks, and fostering an environment where officers feel comfortable reporting concerning conversations can also be beneficial. Price pointed to
Atlanta Mayor Keyshia Lance Bottoms and
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and their ongoing efforts to overhaul and reform their police departments as examples of what other cities should try to emulate.
“All you can do is evaluate what you have and then try to change things to make it better for everyone,” Price said. “But that takes a commitment from partnerships with the mayor and the police chief. They both have to be in lockstep in wanting to do this.”
