Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
A conversation that began with an idea from a program in neighboring Leon County brought Gadsden County youth and law enforcement officers together Aug. 4 to discuss trust, communication and their perspectives on interactions with one another.
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Prevention Services, in partnership with the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, hosted the G.A.A.P., or Gaining Appreciation by Adjusting Perspectives, discussion at the Quincy National Guard Armory.
Lt. Christopher Daniels of the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, who helped organize the event and served as moderator, said the idea came after participating in a G.A.A.P. academy in Leon County.
“We participated in a G.A.A.P. academy in Leon County, and I asked about bringing something like that to Gadsden County,” Daniels said.
His goal was to create an environment where young people and officers could speak candidly and listen to each other.
“I wanted an open and honest conversation so law enforcement officers were able to hear the kids’ perspectives and vice versa,” Daniels said.
Youth from the S.O.A.R.S. Program and AMIkids participated alongside law enforcement officers. Topics included communication, accountability, public safety, trust and community relationships.
Daniels said he believes those conversations can be beneficial beyond Gadsden County.
“I think it’s a good thing in any county to have these types of conversations,” he said.
One exchange during the panel demonstrated what Daniels hoped the discussion could accomplish. He said a 17-year-old male panelist initially disagreed with law enforcement officers during the conversation.
As the discussion continued, however, the teenager said he understood the officers’ perspective and looked at the situation differently.
“Those moments make discussions like this more meaningful,” Daniels said.
Participants also took part in interactive scenarios and role-reversal exercises designed to allow youth and officers to experience situations from the other’s perspective.
Daniels said a traffic-stop scenario was particularly insightful for the young participants because it put them in the position of dealing with difficult behavior.
“It gave them a chance to see how challenging it can be to deal with unruly and uncooperative people,” Daniels said.
The law enforcement panel included Lt. Khang Bui of the Havana Police Department; Officer Paradise Kimble of the Midway Police Department; and Gadsden County sheriff’s deputies Jamica Barfield, Stephanie Brown, DeMarquise Hendrix and Howard Arnold.
The youth panel included nine students in grades seven through 12: Londin Smith, Ryan Dubose, Raquel Peek, Solomon Lee, Omarion Doyle, Andrielle Lawson, London Brown, Kanarie Keys and Jamiyah Dixon.
The program also included remarks from Florida Department of Juvenile Justice officials, including Statewide Regional Coordinator Mia Heard, Deputy Director LaKisha Bush-Eutsay, Deputy Director Debra Rackley and Senior Director Dasia Powell.
The Aug. 4 discussion may also lead to a longer program in Gadsden County.
Daniels said organizers are working toward holding a four-week G.A.A.P. Academy in the county before the end of the year, although plans have not been finalized.
“We are working on planning a four-week G.A.A.P. Academy here in Gadsden County before the year is out, but nothing’s set in stone yet,” Daniels said.
