Students and the UT police department addressed racial profiling issues and possible solutions at an event hosted by the Black Student Alliance Wednesday.
The event coincided with the release of UTPD's racial profiling report for calendar year 2002 to the UT Board of Regents, which was due Saturday.
Many students expressed concern about a lack of oversight governing the UTPD regarding racial profiling.
Cookie Peterson, a sociology and African American studies senior, said she believed her concerns were not being heard, citing a previous meeting where similar issues were discussed.
"My problem is that our complaints go to you [UTPD chief of police]," Peterson said. "Where are the checks and balances?"
UTPD Chief of Police Jeffrey Van Slyke cited the law governing racial profiling and said the UTPD is serious about compliance with the law. He said the director of police of the UT System supervises compliance issues.
"There's more oversight at UTPD than at the sheriff's office," Van Slyke said.
Patricia Clubb, vice president for employee and campus services, said the Equal Opportunity Services
Edmund Gordon, director of the Center for African and African American Studies, asked what solutions UTPD has thought about to avoid future racial profiling incidents.
Van Slyke said, "I would say none."
He later said it is difficult to explore methods of change without a formal complaint filed.
Terry McMahan, assistant chief of police, elaborated on Van Slyke's statement and said it is the UTPD's job to abide by the rules.
"I would say, 'not at this time,' because the University has rules," McMahan said.
Gordon said that while the rules may not change, the UTPD could change their approach.
"We're going to have these kinds of things happening again in the future," Gordon said.
Van Slyke expressed interest in further communication with students and urged students with concerns to report to the UTPD.
However, students said it could be intimidating for some to approach the UTPD when they feel they are victims of the department. They stressed the need for a third party.
Some ideas for a solution included the creation of an oversight board or committee to analyze complaints, policies and procedures.
"That could be an option, but things get too bogged down with committees," Van Slyke said.
Van Slyke spoke about the perspectives students bring from prior experiences, which color their experiences at the Uni- versity.
"I hear that you have concerns, but I don't have solutions," Van Slyke said. "We need to make sure how we feel is balanced by truth and reality."
Erute Mofoye, a math senior, said concrete solutions proposed at the meeting were overshadow-ed by each side not truly listening to the other.
"People [in the campus community] bring their preconceived notions that hinders the dialogue … within the course of the dialogue, a tremendous number of solutions were brought out, but people only heard what they wanted to hear," Mofoye said. "Students want to blame the police department, and that puts [UTPD] on the defensive."
The event was part of Unity Week, an annual event hosted by the Black Student Alliance to reach out to other campus organizations.
Be the first to comment on this article!