by Clem Boyd, Communication Content Manager
The recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd have been doubly painful for Dr. Patrick Oliver, director of Cedarville’s criminal justice program. He has served as a law enforcement leader for more than 40 years. The actions of the Minneapolis officers have been a source of deep disappointment as he saw police brutality and the failure to protect an individual’s constitutional rights. But also, as an African-American man, he saw another incident of a white officer treating a Black American without compassion.
Patrick was recently named the lead consultant for Ohio’s newly formed Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment. He will have the opportunity to speak into one of the most important functions of a law enforcement agency — the hiring of officers. As Patrick notes in the podcast, “Police agency transformation begins with hiring quality officers.”
— Patrick Oliver
Now more than ever is the time for the church to step up and live out Jesus’ command to love our neighbors. And as Patrick explained, it’s also a time for self-reflection: How many of us have a close personal relationship with a person who doesn’t look like us? How many are willing to speak up when there’s an incidence of unlawful force? How many are studying their Bibles each day and allowing God’s word to transform them? How many are praying for elected officials? How many are voting at every election? How many are willing to serve in public office? How many are sharing the Gospel with the unsaved world?
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More to the Story
Written by Patrick, “Recruitment, Selection & Retention of Law Enforcement Officers” is available at looseleaflaw.com. You can download the first chapter for free.
Patrick served for 27 years in law enforcement. He was named the first African-American police chief for Grandview Heights, Fairborn, and Cleveland, Ohio, his hometown.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,380 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking. For more information about Cedarville University, visit www.cedarville.edu.