Police Chief Richard Hite gave his feedback after attending the “Real Talk” Teen Forum at the Indiana Black Expo.
Why was it important for you to be part of this event?
Chief Hite: This is the first forum and I’ve had an opportunity to hear questions coming from young people. It’s real, this is real talk. It’s important that we, adults, listen to you and also walk away as being sponges. We have to soak up the information so we can go back and talk to our police officers and our community about what you need. We only have the opportunity to talk to each other when we’re putting handcuffs on you. So we want to be able to talk about prevention, intervention and activities so it won’t lead to suppression.
What importance do you think teens have on the community?
You are our future. You are the only ones willing to step out on what you believe in and act on it. Sometimes we have to get you a good platform in which to do that, but you have this pressed up energy that we need. We need to challenge you in the right direction, give you the platform in which to do it and allow you to teach and enlighten other peer groups.
