Policing the Bridge | Tim Mcmillan | TEDxSavannah

What one seemingly random traffic stop can teach us about the connections amongst people.

Lieutenant Tim McMillan is a veteran law enforcement officer with the Garden City Police Department. After a fateful traffic stop on October 1, 2016, Lt. McMillan has become an activist for police community relations and civil rights. He maintains an active blog where he discusses contemporary civil rights issues and inspirational insights. Lt. McMillan has been featured on numerous media outlets, and appears in the 2017 documentary film “Walking While Black.” Lt. McMillan is also the founder and director of the nonprofit police research, training, reform, and accreditation program, The Four Trees Project Inc.

[jayd]

This is the kinda policeman I could talk with. He cares about what he truly does.

[merittbauer]

God bless you! This was amazing. I'm an ER nurse and this will change how I interact with my patients forever. Thank you so much. Stay safe!

[Elfmaiden]

I like this guy. He seems easy to talk to and understands it.

[c.juneau]

AS A POLICE OFFICER, I GET ASKED BY KIDS ALL THE TIME, "HEY MR. OFFICER WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST AND BADDEST WEAPON ON YOUR BELT"? I SAY IT IS MY MOUTH. MY TONGUE... WHAT I SAY AS A COP CAN CHANGE AN OUTCOME OF ANY SITUATION COMPLETELY ! I GOT INTO POLICE WORK TO CHANGE OUTCOMES FOR THE BETTER AND TRY TO GIVE 2ND CHANCES.

[johnkim]

Truly a great presentation. It is also a reminder of how being more present and actually listening to others in the moment while also seeing every encounter as an opportunity can lead to us realizing so much about the person and situation at hand!

[joeyork]

To rehumanize yourself and to help others to do the same would go a long in preventing the battles between police and citizens.

[jjcane]

I once helped a Jacksonville, Florida, (Deputy) Policeman I kept hearing stop...Get Back, Outside my bedroom window after hearing it a 3rd time I knew he needed help. I sprinted out of my apartment to find my neighbor on the ground but 5 friends of his were moving closer and closer. The officer was alone. I approached the officer and presented my palms out and just said "Can I help". The officer accepted my help and just pointed at the 5 friends to keep them back. I put myself between them and officer and he was able to handcuff the driver. The officer had gave the wrong address for his backup. So I was his Backup that night. I want to do that again before I die.

[pekkle]

The problem with modern policing in the inner city is that the metrics of measuring police performance includes arrests/week & tickets/week and such and such. Maybe a better metric would be "peace/week". Or something along those lines. It would change the mentality of the police who could see themselves as a preserver of peace, rather than simply a law enforcer.

[Brandy]

I love our police officers. They risk their lives every day, but they're there to save and protect every citizen.

[markharrisllb]

I’m a 60 year old Englishman who remembers community policing in the UK. The policeman knew you, knew your parents maybe mine more than most because of my mother’s job. They were part policeman, part social worker, part family friend they could give you a clip round the ear, counsel you or take you home to your parents who would give you a clip round the ear. They didn’t do any of it to be on a power trip but because it was THEIR community and they cared about it. The biggest mistake in UK policing was the 'panda car' which took the police away from walking their beat.

[mattylite]

Protect this guy. He's a true protector

[luckysol]

IT SAYS, TO BE HUMAN IS NOT ENOUGH , BUT WE HAVE TO BE HUMANE 🧡

[pinupgirl]

Best cop ever. How true is his message?! The bridge is there. Let's ALL cross it.

[DrPerlyl]

This is a good talk to hep bridge the mistrust among police and the community. It will be shared with students in my CJ courses in community policing. Thanks, Lt.

[Eravel]

Viewing this in 2020, looking for community policing videos on Youtube, knowing what's going on in the U.S.? This made me cry.

[lynnettemisciskia]

Very nice presentation, thank you for your service.

[annebell]

I could listen to that Police Officer all evening. He has a way with people, a connection. God Bless him, he has a beautiful soul. 🌺💖🌺

[CeeCeeStrong-]

Let me first say that I enjoyed listening to your TEDx talk. I love your touch on many areas of our profession. I have the luxury of having an additional REALITY...and it touches on the desire of wanting officers who mirror the community....I am what society calls "minority" (which is not a word I believe should be used to describe a human being and definitely not one like you describe in a heroic way)....I digress....after nearly 30 years in this profession (and years in military prior) your TEDx talk led me to thinking about a scene in a movie starring Matthew McCanaughey (co starring Samuel L. Jackson) where he has the entire courtroom close their eyes and he describes a heinous act committed by the suspects in the case...he leads them down a path and then says....IMAGINE SHE'S WHITE....and everyone's eyes popped back open....not able to comprehend this being possible.... YOUR TALK LED ME TO JUST in reverse....

[bds]

Fortunately for us, most officers are good people.

[Hoycelolland]

I’ve watched as many with authority are willing to destroy what your building. But sir those with NO power aren’t the ones that need to know.