Can Police Move from a Warrior Mentality to a Guardianship Mindset?

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“Be Bold America!” Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 5:00pm (PT)

Authoritarianism is antithetical to democracy. The January 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, the invasion of Ukraine, and the militarizing of police in many of our cities are living examples of authoritarianism in action. Are there any similarities between them?

Our two interview guests, Dr. William Benet, creator of the Polarities of Democracy theory, and Dr, Joseph McMillan, former President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, say: “Yes!” They say, residents often feel as though the police are an occupying force rather than helpful servants of the people in those communities. Join us to talk about challenging police officers to change their minds. Our two expert guests will discuss how Polarities of Democracycan be applied through the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE)

Interview Guest:

Dr. Joseph McMillian is a Fellow with the Institute of Polarities of Democracy, a Contributing Faculty member in the Walden University School of Criminal Justice, a Past National President for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Executive Research Foundation, and the American Society of Criminology.

Dr. McMillan received a BA in Criminal Justice, from Wilmington College, a MA in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Crime in Commerce from George Washington University, a MS in Strategic Intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College, and his PhD. in Criminal Justice from Walden University.  Dr. McMillan is also a graduate of the Air War College non-resident program and the Federal Executive Institute.

Dr. William Benet is an activist, educator, and researcher who developed the Polarities of Democracy theory through his doctoral and post-doctoral research at the University of Toronto. He has over 50 years’ experience in politics and social justice activism. He served in the US Army from 1965 to 1968, followed by 28 years in the Monroe County Legislature in Rochester, New York, including five years as Majority Leader.

Dr. Benet currently holds academic appointments as a Dissertation Committee Chair with Walden University’s School of Public Policy and Administration, and an Associate Researcher with the University of Toronto’s Adult Education and Community Development Program. He serves as Vice-President and Senior Fellow for the Institute for Polarities of Democracy.