TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)- In recent years there have been dozens of controversial deaths at the hand of law enforcement across the country. Many people say this is a reason behind the level of distrust between police and the communities they serve.
Senator Dwight Bullard encourages the community to work with law enforcement to repair that trust.
"There needs to be an openness and a desire on part of law enforcement to say, alright maybe some of the practices of some of our brothers and sisters behind the badge have gotten us to this point."
The recent killings of unarmed black men has some people questioning the role of police departments. But Senator Bullard says it's up to communities to help eliminate the threat, officers too often perceive.
"A lot of it has to do with really taking back the rings of our community. Even as going as far as setting up community meetings, in which we engage police prior to incidents happening, to talk about strategies in our local communities that will best work."
Senator Bullard is also proposing that police officers be required to complete at least 30 hours of community service in the neighborhoods they work.
