Students, Faculty Express Concern For Police Profiling

With the prevalence of racial discrimination involving the country’s police departments, students and faculty have begun to discuss how cases of racial profiling by the Exeter Police Department affect people of color at the Academy.

Many students and faculty recognized racial profiling as an issue in the town of Exeter. According to Dean of Multicultural Affairs Rosanna Salcedo, throughout her 14 years at Exeter she has heard reports of racial incidents on and off campus that involve students and adults in the community. These reports have lead her to believe racial profiling “has, and continues to occur [in Exeter] to varying degrees.”

One such incident occurred on this year’s Principal’s Day. Lowers Gwendolyn Wallace, Genesis Contreras and prep Charlotte Polk were walking back from the Dollar Store when, according to Wallace, as the three passed a police officer, he appeared to grip his taser. He only released it once they had passed by. Wallace recalled that afterward, the group had made a joke about it, but only to cover up the gravity of the situation.

Although they laughed about the irony of a police officer being threatened by them as they walked back to their prep school, Wallace said that she still took the situation seriously.

“It takes courage to do what isn’t done enough. I hope students and faculty rise to this occasion, sooner rather than too late.”​

Her fear of further action from the officer led her to look around and see if there were any witnesses or places to which she could run.

Similarly to Wallace, Contreras said that this experience with the police validated her feelings of being an “other” and not belonging in the town. Polk said that although this experience was one specific incident, it relates to a larger volume of unjust prejudice. 

“This is not just me and Genesis and Gwen,” she said. “This is millions of people of color suffering because of racism while millions of white people benefit from it. It’s so important to acknowledge the white privilege that [students] have and the systemic racism that allows [students] to do things like walking down the street without fear,” Polk said. “We are students. We should not have to fear for our lives for simply existing while being people of color.”

Lower Kelvin Green agreed with Polk. He described the town of Exeter as a “mere reflection of our nation.”

While he has never been verbally or physically abused by an Exeter cop, he still feels the effect of racial profiling by being a black male.

“I’m sure I have been racially profiled by the Exeter police,” he said. “I’m a black male, and I’m sure that individuals, including the Exeter police, have assumed certain things about me due to the color of my skin.”

While racial issues continue to be a problem, both students and faculty have started planning and acting out solutions that could potentially diminish them. In fact, a few faculty on campus have even met with campus safety, who have already initiated discussions with the police to address reported incidents.

The Exeter Police Department would not respond to requests for interviews for this report.

Director of Campus Safety Services Paul Gravel met with the head of the Exeter Police Department early last week to introduce himself and to discuss how they will maintain communication with the police.

“Clear lines were established in the past and will continue to grow going forward,” he said. “[The head of the Exeter Police Department] explained that he is very willing to make himself available for conversation anytime there is a need and is open for any opportunity to work directly with our school as requested.”

Acknowledging Gravel’s discussions with the police, Principal Thomas Hassan confirmed that the school will continue to have “open and honest dialogue with town officials and look forward to working with them on the issue.”

Discussions are not just limited to authorities in the town. Hassan went on to explain that on campus, there have been several times this year in which deans have met with students involved in racial incidents. 

Salcedo further described the process which she and other deans undertake after hearing reports of racial issues revolving around students.

“When incidents involving students are reported to me, or any of the other deans, we interview the student(s) to gather as much information as possible and make sure we address their emotional and psychological needs,” Salcedo said. “We also discuss how to respond to the incident.”

Not only are faculty currently active in diminishing racial issues, but many students on campus are also busy trying to raise awareness for the cause. Lower Elaney Ortiz encouraged more students of all color to get involved in clubs such as ALES to get their voices heard on campus.

“We need more voices on campus—more people who are actively being educating in spreading the word,” she said. “We are making incredible headway this year, and it’s going to push into next year. But the only way we are going to solve these issues is by bringing them up. They are not going to fix themselves.”

Like Ortiz, history instructor Erik Wade further emphasized the importance of discussions about race at Exeter.

“These dialogues are difficult only because we shy away from them,” Wade said. “It takes courage to do what isn’t done enough. I hope students and faculty rise to this occasion, sooner rather than too late.”​