Montgomery’s First Black Female Police Captain Will Teach Race in Policing Through New Experience

Retired Montgomery County Police Captain Sonia Pruitt made historical past when she grew to become the primary Black girl police captain within the metropolis. Now Pruitt plans to make use of her historical past within the subject and expertise as a Black girl to show different officers in regards to the historical past of racism in policing.

Pruitt based The Black Police Expertise to companion with regulation enforcement officers to assist educate them on the connection between race and policing, WTOP stories. The Howard College alum recalled how difficult it was for her to stand up the ranks as a Black feminine police officer in Montgomery, Alabama.

“There was lots of hypocrisy and double requirements. It was very tough for me to climb the ladder after I handed sergeant,” she mentioned. Even after she was lastly promoted to captain in 2019, Pruitt mentioned, “shock, shock, I used to be despatched to midnights.” A apply she says is widespread for Black ladies law enforcement officials.

Regardless of her powerful expertise and the present public scrutiny police are underneath resulting from problems with deadly shootings, Pruitt continues to be encouraging younger individuals to hitch the pressure.

“Issues are going to alter regardless of what law enforcement officials who’re reluctant to alter really feel,” she mentioned. “We’d like younger Black males, ladies, Asians, Latinos. We’d like individuals to enter the pressure and assist turn out to be what the individuals actually need.”

Pruitt additionally defined the general public concern concerning the continued subject of deadly police shootings in opposition to Black individuals and the way police can take extra accountability to deal with the backlash.

“The neighborhood already is aware of that there are good officers. The neighborhood already is aware of that police should make split-second selections,” she mentioned. “What the neighborhood needs to know is why Black individuals are dying by the hands and knees of police once we’re not seeing anybody else dying that manner.”