Former City Police Commissioner Gives TED Talk on Policing
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Former Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony Batts was fired in July of 2015 in the aftermath of the Freddie Gray riots in Baltimore, now he's speaks about the challenges of policing in the U.S.
Batts gave a TED talk Sunday in Massachusetts about the different way police officers are viewed in different communities.
"In some communities police officers are super heroes. Then in other communities they're seen as villains," said Batts.
Batts was at the helm of the City police force when the death of Freddie Gray sparked unrest. When he left the stage, an audience member shouted "justice for Freddie Gray."
Since he was ousted from his job as Baltimore Police Commissioner, Batts has sparked controversy with his comments.
In September of 2015 Batts said, "anybody seen the Wire? I was the commissioner of the wire," during a forum at Mount Saint Mary's last September and accused City police of "taking a knee" after the unrest.
"I think police officers generally whether it's in Baltimore or anywhere take offense to that type of simplistic statement," said current City police commissioner Kevin Davis in September 2015.
In April 2016, Batts talked with CBS News about societal issues he saw in Baltimore.
"You've got to talk about the racial issues in that city. But you've got separate but equal taking place within that city," said Batts.
A point he echoed Sunday, calling for a change in policing.
"We don't have time to waste. Lives are being impacted. Decisions are being made," said Batts.
Decisions that could forever affect community police relations.
Batts currently runs his own independent consulting company and works with law enforcement agencies around the world. He served as police commissioner from September of 2012 to July of 2015.
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