The Speaker

Sergeant Adrian Harris, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, is a distinguished first-generation law enforcement officer with a deep-rooted family heritage of Jamaican and African American origins. Emphasizing the values of hard work and integrity, Adrian has successfully navigated the complexities of police culture, a journey unfamiliar to his family and peers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at John Jay College.

Before his law enforcement career, Sgt. Harris served in the military, beginning with the Marines in the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, participating in operations like Desert Storm and Desert Shield and missions in Somalia. He later joined the Army, serving with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Joining the New York Police Department in 2005, Adrian was initially assigned to the 75th precinct, followed by positions in the 68th and 9th precincts. His roles have included serving as a Conditions officer and Graffiti officer. Promoted to sergeant in November 2013, he was stationed at the 90th precinct, where he was instrumental in mentoring young African American youth and officers. His leadership extended to supervising the School Unit, the Summer Youth Police Academy, and the Training Bureau.

Sgt. Harris is an active Prince Hall Mason and contributes to various organizations, including the NYPD Guardians Association, NABLEO, Noble, Brooklyn Skyhawk Youth Football Organization, St. Michael's Youth Mentoring Program, and the Independent United Order of Mechanics, illustrating his commitment to community and professional excellence.

The Workshop

De-Escalation: A Common Sense Approach : Thursday, October 10, 2024 09:00A

Conflict is a situation where two parties are heated or aggravated because one party has possibly harassed the other, often beginning with bias.

Conflict de-escalation is a strategy to prevent people from escalating into violence. It’s designed to help communities protect and take care of each other using an approach that, if successful, can limit or completely eliminate the need for police intervention. It requires patience, a willingness to listen, and an ability to see the humanity in everyone.

This discussion will assist in helping to identify potential conflict before it escalates, suggest various methods for de-escalation, and how to assess whether De-escalation is the right action.