In a recent article, local Baltimore resident Freddie Gray died of a spinal injury while in the custody of police. Since the funeral, local Black teenagers have expressed their discontent. The Baltimore police can use a team building process to enhance community relations that have suffered as a result of the Freddie Gray incident.
This was short-lived. Soon rocks, bricks and glass bottles were being thrown at officers.
This interaction between police and teenagers that resulted form the Freddie Gray will have repercussions for years unless the police use a team building process to enhance community relations.
Recruitment Process
An effective team building process will require the recruitment of 25 people from the community and 5 persons form the Baltimore government. The Baltimore government representatives should include the mayor, the chief of police, and three White police officers who normally are out in the eye of the public. The community should consist of 15 teenagers and 10 adults. The fifteen teenagers should have 10 high school students and 5 middle school teenagers. The demographics of the students should represent a cross demographical section of the students and should not include any students who are part of the student government for any school. The parents should not e related to any students who participate in the team building process.
Building Better Group Dynamics
The Freddie Gray incident has created much distrust amongst students and parent and Baltimore government officials. Without the proper process the team building strategy is doomed to fail. Each individual group will believe that their opinion is superior to the other group. The best way to offset this problem is to use an introductory assessment that enables each group to appreciate the different talents that each person possesses. Next, the group will benefit from a conflict management assessment. This will inform each member of the group how each member deals with conflict.
Shared Vision Development
The group will need to have something to guide it through the process. A shared vision is a tool that will unite the group and therefore provide the energy and focus to benefit from the team building process that is necessary to enhance community relations that were severed as a result of the Freddie Gray incident.
Strategic Planning
Divide the total group into five groups of six people. Each group will be required to have 1 Baltimore government representative, at least two parents, and at least three students. Each group will work together over a five week period to develop goals, objectives, timelines, and costs as part of a strategic plan to enhance community relations that were severed as a result of the Freddie Gray incident.
Culminating Presentation
In the final meeting, the groups will present their strategic plan for funding and community approval.
Using this process has included all stakeholders. This process will allow for the involvement of all stakeholders and result in improving community relations that became problematic after the Freddie Gray incident.
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Dr. Derrick L. Campbell, Ed.D.
www.positiveracialrelationships.com
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Author of Promoting Positive Racial Teacher Student Classroom Relationships
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