Hands of Change Holds Public Meeting After Cop Flies Confederate Flag

The controversy behind a local cop flying a Confederate flag in front of his house was the topic of discussion at a Hands of Change Civic Organization meeting at the Littig House Community Center in Port Washington last Thursday night.

Many people in attendance said several years of building trust between the local police and minorities has been wiped away after this incident.

Police officers, commissioners, local politicians, clergy and members of the community were in attendance to find out how the Port Washington Police can help rectify the situation.

The PWPD agreed that officer Paul Faulk exercised “bad judgment” by displaying the Confederate flag.

While Americans have a right to display whatever they want on their personal property, the meeting discussed whether a police officer, who serves the public, should display a flag that is considered a symbol of hate by many.

Those at the meeting said they will now question whether they are being treated fairly when dealing with the local authorities.

Officers in attendance said they couldn’t publicly discuss what, and if any, repercussions will be implemented against Faulk.

Port Washington Police Chief James Salerno addressed those in attendance with the following statement:

“It has come to our attention that a Confederate flag was displayed at the private residence of one of our department’s members. Recently, this flag has come under condemnation for what it represents to the history of the African-American community. Any negative inferences reflected by and related to this flag in no way represent the feelings, attitudes or policies of the Port Washington Police District.”

Hands of Change members and community members in attendance discussed with the officials how the police can improve their relationship with the African-American community in light of the recent events.

Suggested solutions included implementing sensitivity training for officers and diversifying the police department. Out of more than 60 officers, there are currently two African-American Port Washington police officers.

Hands of Change was first created to reopen a park and further developed into a community group made up of residents who live in the Roberta Nixon Homes and the surrounding area.