Protest organizer calls DPD Chief's message to protestors ‘offensive' and ‘ignorant'
One of the organizers of last Thursday’s police brutality protest says the Dallas police chief’s comments, telling protestors to apply to become an officer instead, were “offensive” and “ignorant.”
While giving an update on the investigation into the deadly ambush that ended in five Dallas officers killed and 12 officers shot, Police Chief David Brown delivered a message to protestors.
“Become a part of the solution. Serve your communities. Don't be a part of the problem,” Brown said. “We're hiring. Get off that protest line and put an application in, and we'll put you in your neighborhood. And we will help you resolve some of the problems you're protesting about.”
The chief’s message resulted in the department being flooded by thousands of emails from people who want to join the force.
During President Barack Obama’s visit on Tuesday, he applauded Chief Brown for his leadership and candor.
“We also know what Chief Brown has said is true: That so much of the tensions between police departments and minority communities that they serve is because we ask the police to do too much and we ask too little of ourselves,” the president said.
The message resonated with people across the country and police here at home.
"We're the same. We challenge them -- get off the protest line. Come get an application,” said Frederick Frazier with the Dallas Police Association. “If you don't like what we're doing, come take our jobs."
But it’s not a sentiment shared by Dominique Alexander, one of the organizers of last Thursday’s protest. He is adamant about not applying.
"I thought that was very ignorant for our chief, however his emotions was to say that to a community,” Alexander said. “That was very offensive."
Alexander said people he's protesting with cannot become police officers.
"They don't qualify for that type of job in that type of capacity. Or they don't have the type of schooling,” he said. “And don't act like, 'Oh, it's just you can pick up a phone call or do an application and become a police officer.’"
There are plenty of qualifying and disqualifying factors based on citizenship, education, physical capabilities and criminal history.
Alexander's comments are in stark contrast to the majority of Americans.
One comment on the FOX 4 Facebook page said, "Start being a solution - apply for DPD. Want to make a difference - get involved. Just don't protest and march down the street."
Another comment said, "His comment was awesome! Apply and get hired if you can qualify...and they will put you to work in your neighborhood. Help make a difference instead of protesting which will equate to nothing. Chief Brown has done an excellent job this week."
Dallas police are just starting to sort through all of those emails from people interested in working for the department.