VIDEO: Broncos Linebacker Meets with Denver Police Chief
For nearly an hour inside the Denver police administration building Tuesday, Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall met with Chief Robert White, peppering him with questions about local law enforcement, about recent incidents of police brutality nationwide, about officer-training methods, and about how, why, and when police officers do what they do, reports the Denver Post.
White provided as many answers as he could. Then he reciprocated Marshall's list of questions with a list of suggestions, specifically ways Marshall can work with the police department to effect change and fight racial injustices in local communities and beyond.
The meeting was the first step after Marshall's well-publicized kneel-down during the national anthem Thursday, ahead of the Broncos' season-opening victory against the Carolina Panthers. It was another step to address the issue that San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other players protested by sitting or kneeling during the national anthem in recent weeks.
White didn't offer his opinion on Marshall's method of protest but said he respects his right to do so peacefully.
In addition to providing reading material, White will offer Marshall a list of suggested ways he can work with the department to continue to effect change, to inch closer to that "endgame" Marshall has spoken of in recent days. One of those suggestions will include a ride-along with an officer. Another will be to test the department's simulator used to train officers in "shoot" and "don't shoot" scenarios. Another will be to continue to speak with local youths to encourage them to "make good decisions" and "not putting themselves in harm's way." (Shortly before their meeting, Marshall spoke to fourth-grade students at Fairview Elementary.)
White said Marshall was "more than willing to continue to work with our police department," but White left the door open for him to initiate the next step.