Today we’d like to introduce you to Lance Watkins.
Hi Lance, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in New York City and always had a servant’s heart. When I was younger, I wanted to be a pediatrician and many years later, I would accept a job with a law firm which eventually led me into law enforcement. I was a first responder during September 11th and I vowed to protect this country at any cost. I joined the U.S. Navy Reserves and completed one tour of duty in Iraq. After retiring from the NYPD, I moved to Houston and began working for the Baytown Police Department.
After the fatal and controversial shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, I was approached by a local pastor who asked if I would speak to his congregation because they were concerned about Baytown becoming the next Ferguson. Myself and a few other prominent leaders attended the discussion and afterwards I created Cops Who Care, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization that’s focused on teaching law enforcement the importance of having a mindset shift as it relates to policing the community. This is done through training, engaging in culture conversations and assessments. Nothing is more paramount than repairing the severely fractured relationship between law enforcement and the citizens. Cops Who Care, Inc. is also preparing our young people for the “real world” by having open and honest conversations with students in a safe space, with the goal of eliminating the school to prison pipeline.
I serve as the Public Safety Advisor and Board Member for Built4Agility.org, a 501 (c)(3) organization that’s focused on creating self-healing communities via the use of innovative and transformative educational programs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up in an upper-middle-class family with protective parents provided limited protection from the harshness of the world… which I would eventually learn about once I was an adult and on my own. Being black is innately difficult. Judgments regarding my intelligence and capability are already made prior to knowing me.
Being Black AND Blue brings a unique challenge as I had to learn how to “straddle the fence” perfectly to maintain acceptance with my Blue family will not being ostracized by my Black family.
On a few occasions, while off-duty, I was profiled by officers only for them to treat me humanely after showing my law enforcement credentials.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and founder of Cops Who Care, Inc., a detective and crisis negotiator and a part-time adjunct professor at Lee College.
With 31 years in law enforcement, I am most proud of teaching. I had the distinct pleasure of being a part-time high school teacher where I taught criminal justice classes to 9th-12th grade students. I was definitely in my happy place. Due to the school district changing the class start time, I had to relinquish my position.
My boots-on-ground experience and the genuine love of giving back and helping others make for a great teacher/professor. I am not patting myself on the back but I love what I do and it shows. I am empathetic and take pride in my work. I don’t have to know you to help you.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I visited the Louvre Museum in Paris and saw the Mona Lisa painting. I was shocked at how small it was. I collect stamps, coins and pens.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.policingdifferent.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/copswhocare1
Image Credits
Grey Scott City of Baytown Animal Services Fiverr
