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We recently sat with one of our Miramar Police Officers, captain Ty Shaw-Williams to discuss some of the work the department has been doing in the community especially with the youth to engage and facilitate open and honest communication.
Q. Capt. Shaw, please introduce yourself and tell Miramar News a little about your background?
A. Captain Shaw-Williams is a Miami, FL native. As a teenager, after witnessing the strained relationship between police officers and community, I made a promise to myself to pursue a career in Law Enforcement to improve community relations. I began my career in 2005 with the Margate Police Department as a Victim Advocate, Domestic Violence Practitioner. After receiving a Masters’ Degree in Criminology in 2008, I joined the Miramar Police Department where I happily serve fellow officers and community today. During that time, I used every opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering for charity events and serving as a mentor for Miramar’s DREAM program for teenage girls (Determination Reveals Everlasting & Achievable Memories).
Q. What are some of the organizations that you are a part of?
A. I serve as the Executive Chair for The Justice Project of South Florida and am a Restorative Justice facilitator with the Urban League of Broward County. I am a committee member for the Girls Coordinating Council with the Children Services of Broward County and a board member on the Florida Restorative Justice Association. I have an active partnership with FIU for Police and Youth programs research with the Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership and recently signed on as a Youth Advisor for Miramar PD’s Explorer Program.
Q. What is the inspiration for mentoring youth? What is your why?
A. Thanks to my current Chief, Leonard ‘Lenny’ Burgess, I have approved allotted time to work with the Urban League of Broward County and The Justice Project of South Florida.
The Justice Project’s Taskforce discovered that teens are concerned about their day-to-day encounters with police officers. These interactions shape their attitudes and behaviors. The Taskforce decided to provide a neutral atmosphere where both law enforcement officers, and youth could have productive conversations in efforts to build a stronger community.
My Why: Today’s youth is the future. I believe in creating a legacy of love and open communication. Youth are open to new ideas, approaches, and unconditional love. It’s our responsibility as adults and as Law Enforcement Officers to set them up on the best possible road to succeed and to encourage self-peace and humanity for the community.
During my yoga retreats to other beautiful countries; we always make a stop to a school to donate school supplies, play kickball and dance with the young students. Supporting youth is truly a lifestyle for me.
Q. Where do you currently have mentorship programs?
A. I serve as a mentor for teen age girls at the Pace Center for Girls and as a Peace Circle facilitator for Miramar’s “Breaking Barriers” event to bridge the gap between law enforcement and youth. Currently, I work with Community Resource Officer, Ryan Lyttle with YPI’s (Youth and Policing Initiative) founder, Danny Smith (former President for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kanas City) to bring the program to the City of Miramar.
YPI’s mission is to build trust and breakdown stereotypes between youth and police.
Q. What are some the strategies that you use to engage youth?
A. I encourage and guide underserved youth by giving them a voice to speak directly to officers and community stakeholders. My team and I focus on the importance of respect, responsibility, relationship building, repairing, and strengthening relations between law enforcement and the community at large. We create an atmosphere of fun by engaging in activities together such as ice breakers and games. Most importantly, always make sure to have food and snacks for the youth. They are always hungry, and they are receptive with food. Some of them come from homes with no food in the refrigerator. Chick-Fil-A is a fan favorite!
Q. Discuss your role as mentor.
A. As a mentor it’s my goal to provide guidance and insight to youth about law enforcement officers to show them that we are all cut from the same cloth. As a mentor, I provide encouragement and feedback on Youth and Officers’ behavior and efforts. Whether mentor relationships develop one-on-one or are established with a group of youth, we see to it that all youth get equitable time to contribute to discussions and activities.
Q. Are there challenges you face while mentoring? If yes, what are they?
A. Yes, there are challenges.
A lot of children come from broken homes and need daily mentorship that should come from their families and loved ones. Some of the youth’s families are incapable of providing the youth with nurturing environments due to their own past traumas.
Some youth need long term therapy and counseling to deal with their emotions and trauma that’s ignored or missed by their village.
As a mentor, it’s hard to see youth struggling with emotional and self-esteem issues. All you want to do is relieve them of their pain, however; I know that I cannot heal them in one day. So, I absorb their pain as a mentor. I pray for their peace every morning at my altar and for my strength to keep going.
Q. How do you balance roles being wife, mother, Law Enforcement Officer, mentor?
A. Thanks to my Chief, who is a gracious advocate for the community and youth; my mentoring work falls under my role as the Community Relations and Outreach Facilitator at the Miramar Police Department.
Every month the PD’s Chaplains, Kim Morrow and Chief Burgess hold a prayer meeting at work. Working in an environment filled with so much love and grace gives me the strength to love on our youth.
With that, I commit to one mentoring or charitable event at a time to ensure that I can give my all to that event.
Q. Within Miramar, do you find that the youth are receptive to mentorship programs?
A. Youth are extremely receptive to mentoring programs because it allows them to be seen and heard in a safe and judgement-free space. Within a mentoring program, youth can feel accepted, comfortable, inspired, and empowered.
Q. What are your closing words for youth in the Miramar community?
A. You are Amazing.
You are so Loved.
You are Special.
You are Worth it.
You are the Future.
I trust you.
