The relationship between law enforcement and the Black community have been tense since the beginning of the nation. Based in slave patrols and growing to be influenced by systemic racism, law enforcement agencies, today, must finally address the nature of their relationship with the Black community. This thesis asks what describes the nature of the relationship between law enforcement agencies, community-police liaisons, and Black communities? How are their relationships built and maintained, and how these liaisons are able to navigate their own identity when interacting with the Black community? Through qualitative methods based in grounded theory, community oriented policing methods are explored through dialectical tensions using critical race theory as a lens. Findings include community involvement in policing gauges how satisfied the community is with their relationship with their local agency. Building this relationship and maintaining it involves active mindfulness, but liaisons must face a transition period as they enter their position to reduce emotional labor and use their identity as a strength to do their job.
