Hey it's Michael this week. The daily is revisiting our favorite episodes of the year listening back and hearing what happened in the time since they first rare today, a police officer looks back at his career. It's Wednesday December thirtieth. Have you ever had never looked at like the state police, graduating classes? Ok, do me a favor go back and look at their classes. There graduating classes see how many black people you see we need our police departments to to mirror the communities that we're sermon and we need those officers to come from within those communities. That'll make datum, that'll make detainees battle,

when people start seal. We really and truly care from our hearts. People will see police in a different way from New York Times. I'm Michael borrow. This is a daily, so Of course, it is disturbing the number of african Americans that are killed by police You know this is raising a conversation, a number of questions about what are the issues that need to be tackled within waste apartments and one of the things that comes up has to do with hiring practices and diversity there is a growing consensus that to change american policing. Police departments must look we're like the communities they serve. I think too many look. In from the outside its hard to understand how the police force could be. majority White and the community,

Jordi African American. Why can there? How can there be such a disconnect or a discrepancy between the two today were her remarks get off their protest learning and put application. He will put you in neighbourhood. We will help you on some of the problems. You protest about the dailies. Lindsey garrison spoke with one officer in Flint Michigan about his experience serving the community. He grew up in its Monday August, thirty first and that any and they can try talking eating always so. I called up Scott Watson. Ok, I'm talking to today.

For now he was on duty. The night we talked so he left his police scanner on just in case you gotta call red is our arrogantly. so my name is Scott Watson, I'm from born and raised in Flint Michigan. Fifty three euro blackmail I've been a city of flame police officer for the past twenty three years and Scots story begins in nineteen sixty six, so mom Mamma. Had me when she was sixteen. so you can imagine. May not. when a child s. Sixteen back there wasn't. You know wasn't easy. I come from a single parent household, Honestly I mean we were. We struggled Scott his mom, they move

into the lower level of her brothers house. It's in this neighborhood called Saint Johns, which is just on the edge of the bureau car plant. They will, it was still segregated for the most part and Scots had a job at seers it. I was also Lawlor Child and. my mom, never had head like give me up for schooling. Give me dress from tat lot on. You know. I could give myself up in deep myself. Together I require much. You know my mom's very nice You know she did the best she could, but she was in love. She was in love with basically a bad boy. You not high school. He was one of the still football players, but he liked the streets and

it also. He ended up going to prison and with EU funds as a child. He didn't think much about it dad my first real memory of him was going to Jackson Prison in visiting him. Just we went somewhere due to visit a man that I really did know who you know come to find out with my dad, but he at some point then the next couple years you know he got out of prison in deaths were really my experiences. Learning. I guess learn more about me began when his dad comes home from prison. It totally changes, Scots life,

You know he sold drugs, and I would I didn't: have a beer saw slap on a couch in the You know I was not there for me to see strange people in the house all the time people knocking on the door. We weather tomorrow in in the buy drug and I'll walk in the bathroom. I will see people shooting up heroin. I got for my dad was addicted to heroin. I coughing up a bathroom door. I can, I will see pieces of rubber that they use to tie it off It owes you need over blurred on at a very young age. I know the difference between was heroin in girl was cocaine, and you know we kept it in the basement in the washing machine. drier me no there, with does in every corner of the house, had opportunity to see it. All things dig, you know key is shit. No

but I was never one else key is who touch it: s, stuff and Scots dad? He barely acknowledges Scott, he kind of Treat Scott like he's. Not even there I mean color bear disable. You know he would take me had a jerk houses, he will eat meat air and he will leave with his friends or they would talk about drug activity, in front of me and his friends are gonna. Look like you, nor should we be doing, is able just tell em may your had the worry, I will say nothing and he was right. I would never. You know, I would never say anything about his business.

You know you have to remember back in those days kiss state and a key is place, though not I was all tat was all adults, but I took it all air the only time his dad really does pay attention to Skype is when he brings him into the business. So back, then, in a lot of people were on assistance. You head, first of the month. People would get their checks at him and his friends they would go and people mailbox and take their chicks, male or female, and Now I remember my dad dress, not like a lady and taken me window to the bank to cast a check and it a good you know, have an alert now look here which you boys like this. I while and it see like come talk more about. because the most of the negativity color the negativity, Anna positivity, actually kind of cars from here

because I wanted to be everything that he was that Dr Scott says it motivates him and his quiet way he keeps on was school and his homework. He makes himself something to eat, sometimes just catch up, sandwiches for lunch or dinner, and every free moment he has. He paused himself into his escape basketball was glad all alone give was the escape. For me, I mean day and night. If there, the best bar related on tv. I three

world trotters used to have a variety show, Baghdad, solid, star, learn how to do no more tricks and in dreams stuff, and just got good. At takes this Basque about literally everywhere with him he even sleeps with it like some key is hair Teddy bears all the stuff. I didn't have any that I had a basketball. Basketball was mine best friend, who was After all, it was my girlfriend. It was. My woman is dislike, nothing else. You know really not the nails matter to me other than be to be the best. So it took me away odd and negative things dead. You know what happening around me and, while Scott is outside

banning these hours on the street- and you know just in his everyday life going to school. He sees police officers everywhere there doing unity, policing and his neighborhood, then they're doing foot patrol while he's growing. Actually, a friend of mine, his sister shoes on police department, knows my several of his friends whose family our police officers, so they were pretty much positive role models when I was commoner even at times when police officers were called into his house for various domestic disputes. Between his father and his mother, even then he didn't have a negative perception of the police. He didn't really fault the police. In those moments mean they were,

nasty or or or abusive, the speaker, not a police at the tiniest job Assad, get the problem solved, sought in thinking tat bad about them like sales. More reflection are on my mom and dad. So those are mostly good experiences, but then say turns thirteen. Then this would be a negative experiences friend of mine stay was Billy. He was like fifteen He was not a back here. He was just candle mischievous just the mischievous tiered, but Canada is more guys broke into a house the police showed up and down Billy took off, run an opt out the back door and went to jump affairs and why police officer shot him in the back into here? Would he shot guy killed? Him tat touched off our son

real tensions in all people are starting to arrive in asked so that that was kind of my first bout with car like some perceive racism in why police officer black here you know you shot a young black boy, here who was running away from above, pretty cry, you know you killed him and now I'm angry, but at the same time you know, Simum Billy was wrong. He now you broken somebody's house or whatever. So you know hidden dvd, they didn't desire that, but you know he was wrong over the next couple of years. Scott kind of starts to direct. His grandmother dies, which hits him really hard and he stops play basketball. He starts skipping school, even if he had

hence class. He doesn't really engage. He just sits there quietly and his GPA and falling to zero point six and then two things happen so a I was hanging out with? We were the school one day and he had a car. we were going down the highway and we would over a hundred miles an hour and see my truck was in allaying next to us and got over in front of us, and this humongous guess Sammy move suddenly right in front of their car and Bob Scots friend in the driver's seat, hostages, quickly, slam on the brakes, the car, scared, leagues and we almost army. We were right right up is

for that, the key to write it right back- and I just see my life flash before my eyes and online, who I mean it scare me to death, so that happened. So after that, about a week later, the friend and I was way he was killed and he was oh by some of my other friends, they got into it. For a gold chain or something and nodded dry by in a kill you you know he's dead and some of my friends. They ended up going to prison and then Scott has this realization like if I dont make some changes here, the same kind of future is waiting for me. And it s like after that happen is like a right disguise. well tell me you gotta, get to live together, causes

good is gonna commanded at so, and so he s star going to school every day start during my work. He starts playing basketball again and going to school, and eventually he gets sponsored by this basketball coach at a junior college and Flint, whose looking for discovered players. He took me in a like. I was his sir. Brought a couple of other guys alone that will come and while he's playing their he's noticed again, by Northern Colorado University and they offer him a scholarship, before I scholarship Scott moves from Flint Michigan. two Greeley Colorado, and he has to pick a major nor from the other side forced by war criminals. He has done seen as a look in, I mean I'm Lou. If you know I'm not a noble,

the drawer game in time you could give for committing certain crimes in you know what I know only being a part of crimes I'm you now look here. It is it just in criminal. Justice was the act is came easy for me. It was natural for me and when he graduates his career, way seems like a natural one to Mama every my dad was. I want to be. The total, the total opposite. So once I was on it, I myself in evaluating who I am a mug we now know what I'm capable of it was. It was easy, it was easy, and so he returns Hunter when and and roles in the police academy. They're just cut away from

we'll be right back with your support. The american Civil Liberties Union is a powerful movement to protect everyone, civil rights and civil liberties in twenty twenty one. There is much damage to undue and new progress. We must fight for protecting our democracy and the electoral process, ending police violence, reuniting separated families, defending reproductive rights and so much more make a donation to the Asia. You today to support the critical work that lies ahead and can't wait Any longer visit ACL you dot, Org, Slash daily, that's ACL, you dot, Org sash daily to donate now, hi, I'm clarity on his gutter. I'm one of the many names you here in the west of credits on the daily every week a big part of my job as a producer is talking to my colleagues to New York Times reporters to get their expertise on the news we also want explorer the human side of the news, and so another big

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move back home to Flint and he and roles in the Flint Police Academy, and he says that when he and roles at this time in the mid nineties, there's this huge push for police officers of color. The current police chief at the time is black and he's really trying to increase the number of black police officers. In that department and Scott really wants to be a part of that now. Mamma Mamma was just like a police officer. You don't look like a police off. Salam explained how like so? What? What does a police officer look like And she really didn't have of it, she doesn't know it. Will it didn't? like me, saw you know like la ok, But I know me and who better to protect

more community dim did me sorrow as far as do all around hit the ground from. I think my first night on the road we re like fifty Ray oh so Scots as their responding to these calls him in these two supervisors he's with. Fight. Every call they respond to Scott knows everyone, and these officers are alike Erica. We gotta do not think I have pressed train and officers because Carter. We went all the people know me. I'm does I hate you. I grew up here play sports here, so yeah. No, I know a lot of people and forces guide. It was like call to duty is being validated on his very first day of the job

think: there's anybody better to do their job there myself, but then his first year out without a train in our work and by myself, and sir, got in a chase. Trying to stop the vehicle scar is called and to help pursue a black suspect who fled during a traffic, stop so the suspect got out his vehicle. He took off run into the yard. Now this is is winter time and I say when around me notice is freeze and outside freezing call anyhow, Sloan. Alas, all involved here. Don't me I'll show our back hours or whatever. So the snow is high. So you know this guy, he jumps out his vehicle. he takes off running and he was duties. People yard he trusted jump a wooden fast enough, fast breaks. Ah, he doesn't have a code on or any day and he lives.

lands in odd is heavy snow and Scott gets out of his car and he's walking up to this scene, are these wide officers are showed up and they Call kicks now wont kick snow on face on his head, and it made my hard drop? So I just out step right in between all of them pick him up brush the snow off of him. Handcuffing put them in the backseat of my car and cut it in your. I cut the heat on and I transport them to the station and it's funny because he was it.

it was mad. You just kind of got the feeling from that. You know this just business like this, I was supposed to be, and I never experienced that until the end- and unlike this is now how is supposed to be- I think I was more heard tat. He was a me. He was glad to ours there too too. You know pick him up in in you know. He was so appreciative of you know, I hate to see you like this, but debt the sea and the black phase that site No, ok, I'm safe. You know I'm safe. You know,

he took care of me now go let any day in all else happened to me, but scarred can really get over what he saw at the moment. A dead made me Question was really gone. All here, maybe like is some is this summer. I really want to be a partner. He keeps thinking about that in a moment it made me read, thank you, but actually I had to make my resolve greater because issue is like we need more. Like me and less like that, in a big picture, I need to stay.

Scott continues to work and patrol for a number of years and then moves on to this special squad where he's investigating drugs and gangs on the streets of Flint and as he gets further and further into his career on the force, he kind of grows to believe that he can be a force for good and all of these smaller ways They have blocked clubs stuff on minority. In a flash I will go to the black man's outline Kincaid I went on a police die, take he stood upon for free. So do you have a nice problem? Experience. I see somebody who hungry you not go on. My pocket in you know, the money, so they can do some to people they can always reach me. Bombers far, you know, go get the full focus on buy cigarettes, our half, meaning

they have my number. They can pick up the phone and call me, and I can take care of the problem, I'm always trying to help people out with their issues. In two thousand and six after Scott In the department for nearly a decade, something happens in Flint the blood pastors Complain that there wasn't enough minorities in the upper administrative positions in the police department didn't reflect. Our community saw the black passed as well

it was white merit. I want him to do something about it, and you know it's an interesting time in the police department, because it's almost equal parts, white officers and equal parts, black officers, Scots said that basically, the black officers that were recruited by the black police chief in the nineties, back when Scott joined a lot of those officers were still around by what the pastors were complaining about, was that hardly any of those black officers were in positions of command. The captain's the lieutenants sorry, since all the way up to the chief, those positions were overwhelmingly white, saw the black pastors wanna. Do it was white? Merit I want him to do some about it, so he came up with the idea of having a group of officers side of the regular ranks viable

everybody in the regular ranks and they were caught a citizen service bureau and then he promotes for back officers entered group, but there was no rhyme or reason how he jealousies people. There was no casting there was no. There was no nothing just these this. We want a soul. most immediately. The police unions respond Officers in the department got together with the union and saw the losses and it was a reverse discrimination Larsson more than forty officers. File of reverse discrimination, lawsuit complaining that the mayor had no basis for those promotions. He didn't follow any person major and he overlooked qualified white officers in those promotion

world black. Also like well hold up here. You know this is unfair to us. If there is no testing procedure, you know it affects us, also an slight wow. So long story short auto. Why officers Lois amount of money I got was like twenty five thousand. The white officers actually win the case the city loses millions of dollars and sky is feeling, orderly blindsided, if it's like leave us against them. At that point, you know When you see all the Ottawa officers band together and basically we were black officers were kept out. Ethnic like

We are not what I mean so yeah there there's you guys over here in us over here and that's pretty much how Scott comes to think about the department as to depart so you know for us blushing like, while you know your walk around here preaching. You know damned blue line and we were all brothers, but I think people they headed and Blue Carlo caught a wrong with their blue lie is is a racial divide, also and ass. The part that I dont think people see we smile in each other's faces, but you know and back your my when the chips are down there.

the vision and you know you can sail when their in their circles when it's just there s a lot, different the windy around us. This all comes into greater focus. First, Scott, with the killing of George Floyd Sol. Initially, someone was tell him about it, but I haven't seen a video so maybe a day or two after happen. I seen a video and I was it hurt me too much or too my core.

Suddenly his identity as a black officer, rather than feeling like a source of pride, it turns into a source of consciousness. Right after this at tossing a video I came to work. Oh my god, I was embarrassed to put a uniform all. I was embarrassed to get out of my cruiser about stopped at one a guys who barbecue on the street, stop the gifts on the e and ah, just fill. I'm really felt like I don't belong. I want it the embarrassment of ill and died. People looking at me like. You know get one at home right dear. You know, that's that's what I feel an added

stay out the way I want it made. No traffic stops. I wanna get night after the stuff happen is about two o clock in the morning and I'm in a semi marker and I'm riding down main street, but is is pretty much empty and his car fly. They fly by me in. So I pulled him over. I got lights and sirens and stuff stop coming over and I walk up to the car and I'm just as polite and male and female and male was driven by a couple down like your license: registration procedures. Whatever n, I asked him if he knew why stop them. I mean he was so disrespectful to me in talking about. How we he we don't do number keel, kill people in the army. He was COS

let me in asked still you I just kept my composure around like ok, he met there. I get it. I understand what they don't understand is I'm mad also all in all ran his name in every day I had a good drivers, licence didn't write, em, take it or any day, and I just walk back up to his car, and I gave him the stuff back in that told Emma yeah yeah have good night and it like after I said, couldn't response is almost like. He can believe I bear heating costs me out or anything, but I was hurt, but I cannot had to decide as he is just their fill. My every fighting The ESA guess you I mean you know your people are owed.

I'll go to sell out in end. You know you got you. Why counterparts who you know again, Skype is saying this feeling that there are these conversation. and going on in the office that he's not really a part of he says in the conversations that he's during everyone is flatly condemning what happened to George Void, but then he goes on Facebook, you know, there's been some things: social media pulse by officers, white officers, dead, more or less than make it may officers feel some type away made

It's been specifically our black officers on I don't even know if it if I don't even know how to really approach this subject but weak. We have some officers some young white officers who Mason statements are so this is what Schuyler said he saw we felt were he reads, one post from a white colleague that said George Floyd was a piece of shit. Criminals are criminal and then he reads another comment from away supervisor who writes that there must have been a big fight before that happens, really wrote me the wrong way, but I was another white colleague reposted

the picture that said only in America can an ethnic group have black awareness month, a black holiday black. Only colleges lack only dating sites, black only bars and clubs, and turn around and call everyone else racists. But these these are colleagues that you probably see every day. Yes, so is always difficult when you, when you know people feel like in your heart, is tough. So even now ass, you ask your speed. Torme asked your dream the same, because I was there. I was your supervisor, but do they make me feel some type away? Yes and then to make other black office building

talk away absolute, we can you truly protector, serve the you know the people. Were you work? If that's how you truly feel, do you think sky you ve been able to make a difference in policing who, a cry for help with you taught me some days. You now try to help people every day. And I felt a lot of people

cause from jails and prisons on time in attorneys and prosecutors in victims are sold, A look at individual days, you know where I have been able to help people in one way or another and I'll take dolls, but when I look at the overall career and where we were at. Why not tell Mama Department and where we are now, it doesn't seem like me with TAT few, like crap, makes you feel like it makes you feel like crap, I don't want to say is been wasted, but if we

as black asses haven't changed the miser horrors of our white officers. You know it is, it is, don't feel just don't feel like we. So. Where do we go from here? Where do I go from here? I'm tryin to get Ma Mojo back but a key. see and the same stuff. You know seen didn't have seen J. I receive real change, but I'm gonna retire and I'm gonna go off into assess. I hate to retire in a sense, because who replaces me Will it be? You know, someone

from our community saw do the real answer is, I don't know. I guess I'm still wondering, and I don't I don't mean to labour this point, but we hear so much about recruiting more black officers as one of the solutions for reform and- and I feel like this kind of call fur diverse-

happens. Each time I mean when, when Michael Brown was shot, a big criticism was that the focus and police department didn't go home at night to Ferguson. They went to their suburbs far away from Ferguson. They didn't actually live in the community. They policeman after the Dallas shootings. The five officers in Dallas were shot. I remember that Dallas Police chief said like if you want to change we're hiring, get off the protests line and come in come on department, yeah yeah as true, and is that, true, though, is is that? Is that the thing that will change or would you get a flood of black police officers who are, I dont, know divided from the white officers than you tat, these two departments instead of this one department and that would limit the change. Those bike officers could bring a meanness that is, that is varied. Does a very

This is a very tough question. I don't know I don't have a definitive answer for that, but I will say this, went to the park not too long ago, and I had a bad. goodbye. Brando Basque bought Allison around, not sit around my house, the above Maza and I wanted is one park and like no one, what I'm just go out there and just give me some shots of India's kicking. Will the people that are now you Know- and when I'm dern, I'm a lead, don't take this back the Basel winnie- have good guy, going on or whatever you know, they have a really good basketball to use, in obedience to depart

ask a but his little things like that. But this is me me: in a statement to the times this of Flint, acknowledged that the police Department had received complaints about Facebook post made by police officers and said that each of the complaints was investigated and crude appropriately handled They also noted that the department has recently launched a special were croup and effort to hire more officers who are from Flint. The city has also hired a new chief of police, Terence Green

who was himself born and raised in Flint Green, has said that. dressing. The morale of officers is among his first priorities coming into office,

I'll be right back with your support. The american Civil Liberties Union is a powerful movement to protect everyone, civil rights and civil liberties in twenty twenty one. There is much damage to undue and new progress. We must fight for protecting our democracy and the electoral process, ending police violence, reuniting separated families, defending reproductive rights and so much more make donation to the ACL you today to support the critical work that lies ahead and can't wait any longer visit ACL you dot, Org

Flash daily: that's ACL you dot org such daily to donate. Now, a few months after this episode ere, I called Scott back to check on how he's been doing and how things have been within his police department, Good morning, higher sky flimsy our you, I'm Good. How are you I am good? Also? I guess we wanted to talk a little bit about what happened since that piece first published, and I know that the last time I talked with you, you were feeling you know pretty disheartened about what you said. Was this divided in your precinct and I'm just wondering what happened

that peace was published, so I got a lotta positive feedback and a lot of people their reached out to me A lot of them have encouraged their children to listen to the park, hair and the object, you rightly letters, but is there well, mainly positive, but by the same token, like within our police department, you know, there's also a downside is gonna happen needed just really put my finger on it at all. I can tell you this, This bears some other way officers. Ah, here he did a part and he were all racial out. His life

I want our racial now I've heard things like my statements at he caused the Dubai. Within the department, and unlike devised, they ve already been there, but as a police, Camelias like We don't want to hear a very large. Oh, there have been some How can a backlash told me why what about black officers in your department any reaction from them all very well for me from the black reality? in general, who hardly say that when are they did they couldn't believe it, and a lot of the black officers feared tat. Part care was wonderful. His life

you called absolute through. You were brave enough to speak we all feel that you had the courage to speak out and said, we all feel myself right like when they listen to the podcast. It was like. I was talking about their in their journey Conakry. You know you're you're, saying something that I felt their entire life and have a kind of like they ve always been, break, I dare say it out loud. One of the notes we left on is you were thinking a lot about your retirement. I think you have two more years left to remember that right.

Yes, there are two more years and you are feeling a little deflated about the next generation of police officers and your exact words were. You were worried about who was going to replace you and I'm just wondering. Are you still concerned about that so sure of Parker? we ve hired good young people. Gotta come along and so on. On their done a very good job and they want to make a difference. They want to make a difference in their community, so they could have be more so I'll have a hand in in being able to train in part analogy, but that I gave to my spirit. I guess no question is: are you just cause?

running down the days to your retirement, or are you seeing the next two years with a sense of this renewed mission to make sure maybe younger people on the department understand connect with these communities and police more effectively? And with more trust, though, there was a point we're out like I'm counting Thou art. Now, I'm not I'm not counting on Michael carry really. My mission is to teach our guys, but the world that work evidently with two being better version. I represent what the community needs and what the community was so saw man in a rush, but could I wanna thorough and in what I mean

I want to know that my department is some good young hair that'll be around for a long time now be taken now, I'm teaching doomed to teach other, and you have led to a caravan thick with ill so years for yeah I am, I may have been the final live at the end of the day I mean I was there everything to wake, you ever need a wire thought the thought here. Yes, I really appreciate you speaking with me and sharing your story. You have a merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, and and good luck

with your day. Scott, like all other tidies episode, was produced by Lindsey Garrison with him, from Sidney Harbor. It was edited by least, Tobin and might then why an engineered by Chris would

Marion Lozano. That's it for the daily. I'm likeable borrow see tomorrow. With your support. The american Civil Liberties Union is a powerful movement to protect everyone, civil rights and civil liberties in twenty twenty one. There is much damage to undue and new progress. We must fight for protecting our democracy and the electoral process, ending police violence, reuniting separated families, defending reproductive rights and so much more make a donation to the ACL. You today to support the critical work that lies ahead and can't wait any longer visit. Acl you dot, Org, Slash daily, that's ACL, you dot, Org sash daily to donate. Now,