"A traffic stop should not be a death sentence" Addressing distrust with law enforcement

Warning: This report contains some of the graphic Tyre Nichols attack video

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — Tonight, many African Americans feel unsafe and distrustful of law enforcement, after the brutal killing of Tyre Nichols. But there are those working to bridge that gap. I spoke with Robert Clopton, the President of the Mobile County NAACP. He told me, for African Americans, there's always some underlying fear when it comes to police, the fear that they could be next.

"A traffic stop should not be a death sentence," Clopton says.

Following the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols many in the black community are left scared, wondering if they could be next.

"Even as an old man, when I see the blue lights there's a fear. I want to make it home alive and more than that I want my children... I want everyone to make it home alive," Clopton says.

Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste said when situations like the one Tyre Nichols was in happens, it sets law enforcement back a few steps.

"Regardless of what we do, every time there is a negative encounter that causes us to have to go back to the drawing board and to reestablish lines of communication and lines of trust," says Director Battiste.

Clopton says there are 3 things that can be done to build back the trust between African Americans and law enforcement. The first is community policing.

"Have the police within the community walking the beats and driving in neighborhoods learning the individuals and developing positive relationships as compared to going into neighborhoods only when they're called for violence etc," says Clopton.

The second is using the data.

"To not only make arrests but to educate people within the community," he says.

The third is transparency.

"It cannot be a one sided affair or one sided relationship where we take take take, or police or law enforcement take take take, they must give back to the community as well," says Clopton.

Law enforcement officials across the country and the state condemning the actions of the 5 Memphis Police officers involved, including the Alabama Sheriffs Association.

"I've been in this job for many, many years. And that's not us. That's not what we do. And it was just, it was just very difficult to watch. For us not to say anything. I think it’s a travesty," says Executive Director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association, jimmy lambert.

Clopton says it's easier said than done, but if we all treat each other the way we want to be treated, we may make some progress.