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Before they ever put on a badge, over 50 Harris County Sheriff’s Office cadets took a different kind of trip—a cultural bus tour.
This initiative, championed by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Deputy Rafael Pantoja, and the entire HCSO leadership team, is rooted in a powerful message: Public safety starts with building public trust. The Cultural Bus Tour was designed to help cadets connect with the history, struggles, and hopes of the communities they will soon serve.
Tammie Lang Campbell, activist and founder and executive director of the Honey Brown Hope Foundation, shared this key insight with the cadets. "Fostering public safety starts with building public trust. It is not a physical object but a set of actions and behaviors, such as transparency, active listening, empathy, and consistency in words and actions."
This tour is especially significant for the Black community, where trust between law enforcement and residents remains fragile. With nearly 50% of Harris County Jail residents being Black, changing the approach to policing is vital for creating a safer, healthier Houston.
At historic Emancipation Park, on the very ground where freed Black Americans first celebrated Juneteenth and took control of their destiny, Campbell delivered a powerful message:
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Lead with compassion and respect.
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Serve with a "duty belt" that includes transparency, integrity, accountability, and relationship-building to reduce the need for force.
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Be the reformative generation that seeks to establish public trust and ensure public safety.
Emphasizing How to Build Public Trust
As a part of the presentation, Pastor Lou McElroy of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church stood before the cadets and brought history to life. As the great-great-grandson-in-law of Rev. John “Jack” Yates, he shared the story of how Rev. Yates and other leaders purchased the land in 1872 to give freed Black Americans a place to celebrate freedom. Pastor McElroy closed by praying over the cadets, asking for guidance and protection as they prepare to serve.
Why This Matters
This was more than just a presentation. It was a critical investment in the future of public safety. By learning the history of the communities they will patrol, cadets are better equipped to prevent unnecessary arrests, reduce use-of-force incidents, and de-escalate tense situations.
Research shows that departments with strong community engagement and de-escalation training experience fewer civilian complaints, lower use-of-force rates, and improved officer safety. When trust is built, communities are more willing to collaborate with law enforcement, which keeps everyone safer.
These moments plant the seeds for a Houston where public safety means protection, partnership, and peace.
Special Thanks
The event concluded with a snack bar sponsored by Alan Helfman of Helfman River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, providing a space for cadets to connect and reflect on the day's lessons.