They Wear Blue Series

More about this series  ::

Many people think of the police force as one unit, like a tribe with a single identity. But beyond the blue of the uniform, each police officer is unique. This project takes you inside the lives of the chief and several officers in Syracuse, showing that the force is truly a collection of individuals.

Given the country’s major news events involving the police over the past few years, and because this is a city where the minority population has very nearly become the majority, we pay special attention to minority officers in this project. They account for just one in every 10 officers, though Syracuse is 45 percent minority. Our project is not intended to be either “positive” or “negative,” but rather an honest and powerful look at this complex issue — all with the hope that it improves police and community relations.

Yet while race matters, it is not everything. As the new chief in Ferguson, Missouri, told a reporter on our team, when citizens see police, they don’t see individuals or race, “They see you as blue.”

  Ahmad Mims

• Syracuse Native

• Officer Speaks Out About Firing Gun

• Elite Crime Fighting Unit

  Lashonda Russell

• Rookie Respect

• Influenced by Another

  The Next Generation

• • Program Gives Teens Head Start on Career in Law Enforcement

  • Survey Reveals Teens’ Opinions on Syracuse Police

Syracuse Chief of Police Frank Fowler

• • Frank Fowler Made it Out of Where Michael Brown Died

Emily Quinones

• • Syracuse Police Department, West Side lean on Hispanic woman

Civilian Police Academy

• • Train Like a Cop

  • Five residents reflect on Civilian Police Academy Training

Now an Officer

• • Brand Hanks

 Blue Courage

• • Officers Face Feelings