PERFORMING STATISTICS is an ongoing project that connects incarcerated youth with artists, educators, and the leading policy experts in Virginia. For more information on the project, or to download electronic copies of our Police Training maunuals go to: www.performingstatistics.com
Before you ever work with teens...
In the summer of 2015, a group youth incarcerated at the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center were able to leave their facility, and come to Art 180’s ATLAS to take part in a 8 week program. There, wearing their own clothes, without guards, they worked with a multitude of artists, educators, and leading policy advocates in Virginia to create a series of projects aimed at transforming the juvenile justice system. You’re holding one of those projects in your hand. Building on national conversations, about police and community relationships, we wanted to do something productive. How would incarcerated youth train police? How could artists and legal experts help them craft those ideas? These books are just one moment where communities staing their needs and making a stand, there are many other youth groups that could add their own “chapters” to the collection and we hope they will. Endless thanks to Rebecca Flowers, Celina Williams, Taylor Manigoult and many others for helping the teens create these powerful books. More information at www.performingstatistics.com
Before you ever work with teens... A police training manual written by incarcerated youth in Richmond, VA
They should have to take psychology courses I want them to know that we are good kids.
What action should police have to do before working with youth?
Learn how to work with teens They should have to work around kids for a certain amount of time before they become a police officer Work in a day care Mental health training Mandatory psychological evaluation every year
Walk around without your uniform Move you and your family into the project for two months, without a gun Work off duty without firearms with kids at school Spend time in communities, playgrounds, etc. Get to know people better Have people mock harass and arrest you on the street without you knowing
What research or training should they have to do?
Walk around our neighborhoods without guns. Come around our neighborhoods when they are off duty Grow up with gunshots on your block Pass a test on how to work with kids Grow up watching your family struggle to survive Leave your weapon in the car Have teens train you Try surviving on food stamps Get more police that aren’t white Take a psychological evaluation before getting to use a gun
What would they do in a situation if you were a teen? How do you treat your own kids?
What question should police officers have to answer before they can work with youth?
Why do you want to be a police officer? Am I racist? Why do you need to arrest the teen? Would they like being harassed?
PERFORMING STATISTICS is an ongoing project that connects incarcerated youth with artists, educators, and the leading policy experts in Virginia. For more information on the project, or to download electronic copies of our Police Training maunuals go to: www.performingstatistics.com