Fixing Police-Community Relations: Video-recorded Police Shootings Calls on Law Enforcement to be “Positive, Proactive Agents of Change”

by Kathy Grear 07/25/2016

(Below is a list of recent video-recorded police shootings.) More police shootings have been recorded recently, providing a real opportunity for our nation’s police to take the lead in building positive community relations, according to Virginia Tech’s Scott Geller.

With video-recorded police shootings and police officers themselves under attack in recent weeks, psychologist Scott Geller considers ways to move forward in mutual trust. As Geller puts it, “re-cultivate a brother/sister keeper’s culture in which everyone looks out for each other’s safety on a daily basis.”

Geller launched the global Actively Caring for People (AC4P) Movement in 2007, which he says refers to any behavior that goes beyond the call of duty on behalf of the health, safety or welfare of another person.

Along with former police officer Bobby Kipper, founder and director of the National Center for the Prevention of Community Violence, Geller has recently co-authored the book: Actively Caring for People Policing: Building Positive Police/Citizen Relations. video-recorded police shootings will hopefully decline.

“Imagine a nation where police officers are viewed as positive proactive agents of beneficial change—professionals who build constructive relations among the citizens they serve.” This is not a culture that creates more video-recorded police shootings.

Resources and research related to video-recorded police shootings:

Programs

http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/index.html

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/types/violence/effects-community-violence-children.asp

About Dr. Geller
Scott Geller is a nationally recognized leader and author in the field of applied behavioral science and a member of the Virginia Tech faculty for the past 47 years. His recent book, Applied Psychology: Actively Caring for People focuses on his passion for applying behavioral science and humanism (i.e., humanistic behaviorism) to improve human welfare on a large scale.

To secure a live or recorded video interview with Scott Geller from the Virginia Tech campus, contact Bill Foy in the Media Relations office at 540-231-8719 or 540-998-0288.

Our studio
Virginia Tech’s television and radio studios can broadcast live HD audio and video to networks, news agencies, and affiliates interviewing Virginia Tech faculty, students, and staff. The university does not charge for use of its studios. Video is transmitted by LTN Global Communications.

Our name
Please refer to the university as Virginia Tech in news coverage. Our official name is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, but using the full name is cumbersome. Thus, “Virginia Tech” (without the word university on the end) is preferable.

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