Defund Durham Police: The Exercise with Guests Jesse Burwell, Terrence Sembly, & Winslow Forbes

Episode 15: Defund Durham Police: The Exercise with Guests Jesse Burwell, Terrence Sembly, & Winslow Forbes We are excited to welcome three guests to the show today – Jesse Burwell, Terrence Sembly, and Winslow Forbes, all retired executives from the Durham Police Department. After meeting each guest and learning their backgrounds, our hosts work with them to discuss what defunding the police would look like at a local level, by looking at the 2020-2021 approved budget for the Durham Police Department. Jesse takes time to break down the budget to explain what each section means and what can or can’t be cut if you had to reduce the budget by ten percent. Terrence, Winslow and BJ then discuss what they would consider cutting from the budget if they were still executives in the police department. They explain how defunding a police department would actually cut the programs and services that communities ask for and need to improve policing. Instead of defunding the police, we suggest increasing funding for other programs that address social issues like homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse. More info about defunding the police & the Durham Police Department: DPD 2020-2021 Approved Budget: The approved budget for Durham PD that our hosts & guests look at and discuss. Defund DPD: The Exercise for You & Five-O: Jesse Burwell’s explanation of the budget and the cuts they discuss making in this episode. Durham Beyond Policing: Proposed Task Force for Durham PD to address community safety and wellness concerns that go beyond policing. Boston Police Reform Task Force: The Task Force is composed of community leaders, advocates, members from the legal profession, and members of law enforcement. More info about Jesse Burwell: Jesse Burwell, originally from Morrisville, NC, has lived in Durham for the past 47 years. He graduated from N.C. Central University in 1975 before joining the American Tobacco Company as an accountant and internal auditor. Burwell also worked for the City of Durham’s City/County Planning Department as an accountant in charge of general fund and grants, before joining the Durham Police Department as Accountant III in 1990. He spent 27 years with the DPD before retiring in 2017 as a Non-Sworn Assistant Chief. While with Durham PD, Burwell was responsible for overseeing budget development and budget administration, as well as overseeing the Community Services Division, Training, recruiting, Personnel Services, Planning & Research, Technology, Crime Analysis, Police Records Division, and the Supply Room. More info about Terrence Sembly: Terrence Sembly was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of the Durham Police Department on January 14 and was assigned to the Investigative Services Bureau. Deputy Chief Sembly, who joined the Police Department in 1997 after working for the Duke University and Carrboro police departments, was serving as the Assistant Chief of Patrol Services when he was promoted. Deputy Chief Sembly has served as commander of the Organized Crime Division and District 4. He also served in the Patrol Bureau, GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Unit, the Recruiting Unit and the Professional Standards Division. Deputy Chief Sembly earned his B.A degree from N.C. Central University and earned a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Organizational Change from Pfeiffer University. Deputy Chief Sembly is a graduate of Session 66 of the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston and the Administrative Officers Management Program from North Carolina State University. More info about Winslow Forbes: Minister Winslow Forbes resides in Durham NC, with his wife and family. He is a man that stands strong in his faith and truly loves God. Winslow is a 1987 graduate of N. C. Central University, with a BA Degree in Public Administration. He graduated from PERF (Police Executive Research Forum), an Executive Management Leadership Course, in 2010. He retired in 2016 from the Durham Police Department, as an Assistant Chief of Police with thirty years of service. Winslow received his Bachelor of Ministry and Master of Divinity from International Bible College; and is currently attending International Bible College to receive his Doctorate of Ministry. He currently serves as the Director of Youth & Young Adults of New Home & Durham Missionary Baptist Association. Winslow founded the D.L. Forbes Youth Foundation in 2002 and currently serves as the Chairman. D.L. Forbes Youth Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on mentoring youth in leadership skills and academic enrichment. Winslow has a passion for helping young people and is a positive advocate for young people who face economic and academic challenges. He continues to speak throughout the communities teaching youth how to be productive citizens. Winslow firmly believes we (the community) can turn youth crime around by working together.