SEATTLE – It was a diverse crowd at the Garfield Community Center on Saturday, but they were all there for the same reason.
"We're getting a behind the scenes look in training officers who are patrolling our streets are getting surrounding issues of racism and disparity,” said Capt. Ron Wilson.
The training is mandated by the city for police officers, but on Saturday it was open to the public.
“There are a lot of issues that we have to resolve and the only way we're going to get that is by involving community and getting their input,” said Elijah Forde, Loren Miller Bar Assoc.
No one knows that better than Detective Cookie Bouldin.
“The reason I became a police officer is that when I was growing up in Chicago in the projects I actually hated the police,” she said.
She realizes Saturday’s event was a chance to create an open dialogue about sensitive issues and build relationships with the people they protect.
Civil rights advocates call it a step in the right direction.
"This in and of itself isn’t going to solve the problem but once we start having conversations we're really, I think the majority of us are working toward the same purpose, I think we’re getting closer and closer to addressing some of those problems identified in Department of Justice report,” said Wilson. “I think it's a great effort on the police department's part.
"It helps to know that they are trying to at least understand some of the issues of communities of color,” said community member Mary Williams.
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