Interviews: Do you trust the police?
Students are asked whether they trust the police.
"Mostly I don’t like cops. One time when my uncle got arrested they cuffed him, and being aggressive, they beat him. They’ll try to intimidate you.
Some cops are racist. They try to make you fear them. We’re human just like them. Just because we’re younger doesn’t mean we don’t understand."
—Walter Chambers, 15, Mark Twain Continuation HS
"I hate cops! They do their job but they do it wrong. They’re always going in groups of two to face us. The government gives them too much power. But it’s kind of difficult to decide about Rampart. I have to hear everything about it first."
—Huy Tran, 16, Saddleback HS
"(Cops) are supposed to be role models. If they do bad, it doesn’t look right. It’s best for police to have a better outlook on life, instead of looking at people the wrong way just ’cause you’re young and black or Mexican. If you have your pants sagging or something they think you’re a gangster. I think everybody should be treated equally."
—Ryan King, 16, Lakewood HS
"They’re OK. I trust cops. Their image is protecting people."
—Camia, 12, Dodson MS
"You got bad cops. And good cops."
—Ebony Johnson, 14, Eisenhower HS
"Cops are fine. There are a couple of bad ones."
—Herman Van Buren, 14, Rowland HS
