By Brittany Winkfield

eLacy Davis retired as a New Jersey police sergeant after 20 years in the East Orange police department where he commanded the Community Services Unit. He now advocates for youth, and works to prevent police brutality. He also seeks to support and educate those who have experienced trauma caused by law enforcement. He founded Black Cops Against Police Brutality (B-CAP) in 1991, and is the author of Black Cops Against Police Brutality: A Crisis Action Plan.

“We are the advocates and the buffers for the people in our community who aren’t given equal treatment by law enforcement officers,” says Davis. “Our commitment is to ensure that people of color are afforded the rights under the constitution as those in the privileged class.”

Human rights should be afforded to all human beings. Civil rights are supposed to be guaranteed under the constitution, however—Davis reminds—we are aware of the nuances of law. These rights are all too often granted to people with different skin color than ours. Before “Defund the Police” was ever a hashtag, DeLacy was a pioneer in community-oriented policing (COP).

The concept of COP is a strategy that focuses on developing relationships with community members. The central goal of community policing is for police to build relationships with the community, including through local agencies. The underlying philosophy embraces full-service policing that is highly personal, where an officer patrols the same area and develops a partnership with citizens to identify and solve problems.

Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drew University, a Master of Administrative Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Public Administration and Executive Leadership from Rutgers University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Saint John Fisher College.

After completeing his doctoral degree which examined the factors relating to police officers shooting unarmed black males he refused to allow the committee chairperson to hood him at the hooding ceremony. Instead, he requested that his advisor have that honor. “I told the school that I could not betray the struggle of my ancestors by allowing someone who made my journey impossible, to hood me.” His advisor, who Davis says, “Saved me on so many levels,” showed up and honored his request. “I love that sister. She coached me through some very difficult times. I will always celebrate Africa’s women!”

Nevertheless, and her support notwithstanding, she had one word for Davis as she placed his hood: “Troublemaker!”

Brittany Winkfield is the founder and publisher of Back2Basics Magazine. She resides in Denver, CO and enjoys traveling with her husband and daughters.