Caught In The Crossfire

Abstract

"Caught in the Crossfire" explores the navigation of tensions faced by children of police officers between their loyalty to their parents and their quest for systemic change in the legal system as people of color. Many police officers are not seen as people beyond their uniform. These personal experiences have been shared between officers and also with their households, but are often not shared within the larger society. The concern POC and Black children of officers have, is the complications of navigating their own beliefs and opinions while they are challenged by their parents' occupation and also facing emotional pulls. This audio/visual project shares the stories of those we do not usually hear, whether that is the experience of a Black NYPD officer or that of a POC/Black child with a parent in the NYPD. In this context, POC or Black child would refer to anyone within the minority groups of New York City. In order to explore and have these conversations I was able to meet and interview a diverse set of individuals, including a Black male NYPD sergeant (with 16 years on the force), a Black/Hispanic female NYPD officer (with 6 years in the department) and her children and an inspector in the NYPD Personnel Bureau (with 31 years in the NYPD), who is also an adjunct lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. These conversations shared many different perspectives. Some officers reported that their race and gender makes them not feel part of the NYPD family. Another said that they tell their officers that they are Black first before being a cop. We also hear from the children of the officers who speak about how they talk with their friends about the NYPD, who say they want to participate in racial justice movements but can not fully be involved protesting against the department which employs their parents. These stories and experiences, not often shared, are so important to tell. Such as what it's like working in a department that seems to work against people who look like you, while having endless conversations with your children who are also Black and of color. Being "Caught in the Crossfire" is a difficult experience for all of those involved.