On November 3, Birmingham Chief of Police A.C. Roper guest lectured in Professor Montré Carodine’s Major Race Trials class.
Chief Roper discussed the challenges facing law enforcement today and outlined strategies for more effective policing of all communities, including communities of color. He also engaged the students in a roundtable style discussion and took their questions. Chief Roper is the father of 3L Krystle Roper, who is a student in Professor Carodine’s class.
“I invited Chief Roper because he is a dynamic speaker and leader doing exceptional work right here in Alabama. But I also wanted to provide balance to our class discussions on race and law enforcement, particularly in light of the national conversation taking place right now on these issues,” Professor Carodine said. “It is crucial to get perspectives from law enforcement officials as we grapple with these issues. And it was a special experience for all of us to see Chief Roper and his daughter Krystle interact — Krystle introduced her dad. It reminded us that the police aren’t just some unfeeling inhuman machines, but they are fathers, mothers, spouses, siblings, sons, and daughters — they are a part of our community. Having the chief of police for a major U.S. city sit down and visit with us humanized the police in a way that is much needed throughout the country.”
Chief Roper is a Birmingham native who has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. He has been serving as Birmingham’s Chief of Police since 2007. He studied at several universities and holds a B.A. and two Masters degrees, one of which is from the University of Alabama. Chief Roper is also a Major General in the Army Reserves, currently commanding the 80th Training Command in Richmond, Virginia. He has received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star and the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, which is given annually to the top U.S. Army Officers in the nation. He is a highly sought after speaker and has lectured nationally and internationally.
