Black officer to discuss strained relations
Madison Police Officer Corey Saffold will talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Sturm Memorial Library in Manawa.
The presentation, “The Paradox of being a Black Police Officer in Today’s Society,” will deal with his experiences as police officer in Madison at a time when highly publicized shootings of African Americans by law enforcement have led to strained relationships between police and the communities they serve in cities across America.
Saffold will talk about his own experiences with law enforcement growing up and how those experiences shaped the way he serves his community today. He will also address how he works to earn trust in a sometimes difficult climate.
Saffold’s career includes being a school liaison officer for one of Madison’s largest public schools and being a community volunteer with youth of all ages and demographic backgrounds.
This event is part of the Wisconsin Humanities Council’s Working Lives Project, whose goal is to deepen and broaden the conversation about what it means to make a living and a life here.
“Our aim is to bring people together, sidestepping partisan rhetoric and building bridges by creating opportunities for community members to reflect on real issues in a place of deep thinking and respect,” said Dena Wortzel, executive director of the Wisconsin Humanities Council.
The “Working Lives Project” is fully funded by state and federal grants and this program is the first of two that Sturm Memorial Library will host.
For more information, call the library at 920-596-2252 or visit online at www.manawalibrary.org.