Roundup of the Cops and Robbers Symposium

On September 30, 2015, the Alameda County (California) Sheriff’s Office Youth & Family Services Bureau presented a symposium on the roles and responsibilities everyone shares to build healthy and safe communities. The symposium featured a play written and performed by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Jinho “Piper” Ferreira titled Cops and Robbers. Ferreira performs 19 characters with different perspectives, convictions, and prejudices about a local shooting and the aftermath. The play effectively communicates the extreme differences between the realities of each character and encourages everyone to consider taking action to improve their communities.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, Deputy Ferreira performed as a rapper, and his talent is evident in the production. He decided to become a sheriff to promote positive relationships between law enforcement and communities of color in Northern California and around the nation. The symposium on September 30, 2015 brought together Alameda County law enforcement officers, school officials and high school students, public service agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners for the day to discuss how each can work in a profession and personal capacity to address the concerns of youth and their communities. Ferreira closed the symposium by discussing the critical issues addressed in the play as well as highlights of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Youth & Family Service Bureau, including the Reach Ashland Youth Center, the Deputy Sheriff’s Activity League and training opportunities such as Dig Deep Farms & Produce. The Reach Ashland Youth Center is featured in Jinho Ferreira’s video Believe, also written and produced by the Ferreira in conjunction with the Cops & Robbers play.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has Deputy Ferreira perform the play and a facilitated discussion with organizations and schools across and beyond the county. The Alameda County Sheriff’s office received a FY 2015 COPS Hiring Program grant.

Elizabeth Simpson
Staff Writer and Social Science Analyst
The COPS Office