Charles Ramsey: Co-Chair President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing

Police Reform has been the topic of passionate debate across America since the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer. Over the years other incidents such as the horrific killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer have fueled the debate on the steps police should take to ensure equity in the treatment of all members of the community.  

In this episode we talk with Charles Ramsey about  his career in policing, accomplishments of the President’s Task Force, his thoughts on police reform and recent gun legislation and his work with the MCCA Police Executive Leadership Institute.  

He began his career with the Chicago Police Department in 1968 as an 18-year-old cadet.  He quickly rose through the ranks as he served in a variety of position.  He was a key champion of community policing a led the efforts to implement it in the CPD.  He left the CPD in 1998 to take the Chief’s job in Washington Metropolitan PD where he would serve with distinction for nine years.  He then took the Commissioner’s job in Philadelphia where he served for eight years.  He served as the President of both the MCCA and PERF at the same time.  In December 2014 President Obama asked him to co-chair the Task Force on 21st Century Policing. He has been one of the most well-respected national leaders in policing over the past 25 years.