on this episode of "the united shade of america", we're talking about the police. one person, everybody else, nervous. it's weird. i feel it's a weird thing to say out loud but i've never been arrested. i'm not bragging. i feel like if i say that out loud, i suddenly sound like i'm running for the gop as a white guy. i've never been arrested, not like those upth eother ones and i've never heard a rap song. oh, you're perfect. i've never even had sweet potato pie. it gets better and better. my name is w.kam arkw.kamau bel

comedian, i've made humor in parts of america. i'm on a mission to reach out and experience all the cultures and believes that add colors to this crazy countsry. this is "the united shades of america." it seems every time you turn on the news, you can see conflicts between communities of color and the police. nothing has happened. other than technology making it easier to document what has been going on for centuries. it start when the first pureten got off the may flower and told the native american he better keep it moving. and now communities of cull rr banding together to let the cops know, we're not going to take it. because a white guy who kills

nine people gets arrested like this. and a black guy who sells loose cigarettes gets arrested like this. so, this week i'm headed to one of the city's most often sited when the subject turns to crime and policing. camden, new jersey. but before i go there, i'm going to talk to the people across the river in philadelphia to ask about the way they think about the way we're being policed and i could start with this guy or this guy or even this guy, but then you'd accuse me of being biassed. so, i think i'll start with these nice young women here. how do you two feel about the police? >> i think the police are usually there to protect you. they've always been there support us on weekend nights and stuff like that. >> so, if something bad happens, you feel you can call the police and they'll show up and take care of you? >> yes. >> what's that like? do you have black friends?

>> i have snapchat friends outd there. hey, sasha. >> do they ever say i'm worried about police? >> i understand as a white male i'll never be in the same shoes as an african american who simply gets looked at a different way and i understand it's so sad. it's a sad truth. i think we would trust the cops because we grew up in a white suburban neighborhood. so, ib could see how people from an urban environment might think differently. >> bring it in. that's a big thing. i feel if white people have that conversation with other white people then the world changes. >> this is my black friend. >> did you just hear what the whole crowd did? it was literally a spike lee movie. oh. can you confirm that your are his black friend? >> yes.

>> look, he's so excited. >> i'm in, baby. >> he's turning redder than he is. and you can call the cops. >> i feel i can. >> you go five blocks that way, you're going to get a completely different perspective. >> i didn't have to walk anywhere. do you feel like when the shut hits the fan you can call the cop snz. >> i'm not calling them. whenever i do, get your hands out your pocket. i just called you for help. >> oh, man. have you had experiences with the police that were not awesome? not five star yelp review snz. >> i don't have more than five fingers. >> i would say communities of color specifically don't feel like you're policed appropriately. >> i think they still have to go back to the basics. this is the community you protect and serve. >> yes. back to the basics. i hear people talk about those

basics when cops rescue cats out of trees and told billy to go home and do his homework but those weren't in any neighborhood i grew up in. and i can't imagine that in neighborhoods on the front lines of this conflict today. but according to the national news they're doing it that way here in camden. police walk the beat and get to know the citizens personally, instead of just showing up when bad things happen. the camden police department thinks this can work and they're getting so much good press that even president obama showed up to check it out. >> i've come here to camden to hold you up as a symbol of promise for the nation. [ applause ] >> do i think it could work ? i have no idea. wut i i'm going to spend the week with the camden city police department and find out. >> every day you put on this

uniform, you bridge the gap between lay enforcement and the civilian population. >> sergeant ralph thorten is one of the people responsible for carrying out this agenda and one of those black people that you can't exactly tell how old he is? 25, 45, 140. >> i like to tell my cops when you go to work, that particular area is your castle. you're the knight of that area. when enemies are at your gate, you protect it. >> the thing that comes up for me is i feel some police treat it like it is their area but they own the area. i'm not the knight, i'm the king. >> i use the word "castle." but our officers are only as good as the rapport that they have with the people in the area. >> brushing aside his analogy suggests we go back to medieval times. the only way is to see it up

close. officer jeffreys. >> very good officer, you're in good hands. >> i appreciate that. not often i say that when one cop hands me over to another cop. just so you know, this is my first time ever in a police car in any capacity. >> good, good. >> that's right, folks. i'm going where no other civilian black man has gone before, to the front seat of the police car. mama, i made it. camden has a reputation for being a rough area. >> majority of the time, this is the area. this street is very heavily

>> that was in broad daylight and i did let them know about the drug use and when i kaccame back, the people were killed there. >> it depends on the priority of the call. that could have went out as a higher priority. >> she doesn't know what the priority was. there was a gunshot over here and they can't come to you right

away. >> you are on top of everybody. >> you don't have to get a relationship with people, but speaking to them, everything is okay. you know. instead of saying shut up, i'm in control. >> i hearia. >> it's not their job to punish you. >> i agree with him. you want to use if i came down to the amount of force, but that's needed. nothing more. >> the media does a serious disservice to communities of color as if acting as citizens don't want to be pleased. we want cops in the neighborhood. we just want the good ones.

fear of police that i think black people sl instilled in them. i have a natural fear of mountain liens. but i don't have to call a mountain lion if i'm in trouble. can you get a mountain lion over here to see if it can help. i know that sounds crazy but that's how i feel about calling the cops. i'm in camden, new jersey, hanging out with cops to see if a comedian can solve the country's police brutality problem or something like that. and i'm here to talk to police

chief scott thompson who's been in charge since 2008 and responsible for implementing all the changes in the force. it feels like i'm in the bat cave. >> so, this is the central nervous system to operation. it's our tactical operation intelligence center. it's to prevent crime from occurring in the first place. >> you can also see your police force. is that helpful totoo? >> thats are rr one of the problems we have is the issue of trust and legitimacy. >> many people in america, i'm perceived as a future criminal. it seems police have to change the perception. >> the burden is on us, not just sit back and expect the public to change on its own. we all have biases. and there are implicit biases

that shape our actions. it's processing it in a way to insure equity is being kputexut during that process. >> i think it's awesome that you as a leader are dealing with the perception and not pretending that doesn't exist. >> we're starting to see a lot of bad behavior out of police officers. what i saw in charleston sickened me. it starts by us fixing our own and that is not something that you learn in a classroom. the only way that the citizens are going to trust the officer, they have to have human contact with that officer and it can't be only when that person calls 911 and says i have a problem. >> and that's the key to community policing, which is something not new camden. ♪ up until recently, if you wanted to join the camden police force, then you actually had to live in

camden. but in 2011, the mayor decimated the police force because of a lack of funding and crime spiked exponentially and then they signed a waver to join the police force whether they lived in camden or not. can you engage in community policing if you're not a member of the community? to find out, i'm meeting up with kelly frances, president of the camden chapter of the naacp and according to mai black people guide book, he's go having to a lot to say. they lost connection with the community. >> the biggest problem is most of the police officers are not a part of the community that they serve. they don't live there. they come in as an army of occupation. >> and why is it so important to have police officers from the community? >> first of all, you get to know the residents. you know who's who.

you know the difference between a drug dealer and an honor student. i know the difference. i been here 65 years. guys that do not live in the community don't know that. they work their shift and go back to their communities for the other 16 hours. but i'm not getting anything in return for that. >> they're not owning a home, renting a home. >> you're not sharing our tax burden. they're our burden because they're taking our tax dollars but not returning anything. that's not community policing. that's all about show. >> so, you need to be from the community? >> exactly. that's what i grew up with. they were our neighbors. we went to school with their children. they were our mentors, role models. >> not just a police officer. >> exactly. the only thing we see now is them in a blue uniform. >> that absolutely makes sense,

knowing your local officers is key to feeling like you can trust your local officers. feeling like you can talk to them. seeing them smile. right now if a cop smiles at me i'm like uh-oh, something really bad's about to go down. (man) what i love most about

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i don't care that it's not all cops.

it's too many cops that have done bad things p. i don't need to hear that not all cops do. i get it. but some jobs we have to hold that job to a higher standard than other jobs. it's enough cops hashtag. you have to have 100% success rate. because one person screws up, it ruins the whole thing. police, priests, school teachers, baristas, you know what i'm saying. just don't screw up my civil liberties, my swim suit area, my kids and my mocha is what i'm saying because that will ruin my day. if i'm going to understand this community policing thing, then i'm going to have to pound the pavement with officers that are from camden. officers tie and gubreau have invited me to walk the beat with them. tonight, we're going to do a little walking the beat?

>> yes, under the sun. >> let's doit. what's the purpose? >> for police presence. a lot of the people that live in the city they don't want to see police officers riding in their cars. they want a more personal experience. >> being from camden, do you think that helps you patrol and be police officers? >> yes. because they're like you don't understand. first of all, i'm from here and raised here, and it makes them feel more at ease because she knows what i've seen and what i've been through. >> and they can't b.s. you in the same way? >> they try. >> how are you? >> you the comedian? >> yes. >> i just told them that. >> looks like the police aren't the only ones with street cred. walking the beat is hard work because not only does it last

for an entire eight-hour shift but also because the officers have to convince this neighborhood one person at a time that police aren't jerks. >> i'm sorry, i like babies. he's a boy? how old is he? what's your name? malory. don't be shy. it's okay. have a nice day. okay. bye. i love kids. >> is that part of it? just talking to people and being a person? >> yes, because then they're not afraid of you when they see you. >> and it doesn't just put a police officer in their face when something bad happens? >> yes. >> a lot of the people in the community are afraid of the cops and feel like you're judged sometimes because people of color are also wearing the uniform? >> you get mixed reactions, especially with everything in the media. they only see our uniform.

they expect you not to understand. and they don't realize that under this uniform you're still a person. you still have feelings. has nothing to do with color, gender. you know, it just has to do with certain things we have to do as officers and a lot of people understand that. they become a little irate because they're like i understand you're just doing your job and things go smoothly after that. >> do you live there? is that yours right there? >> yes. >> every time i pass there i'm like, is that a person? >> that was santa clause. >> my name is kamau. >> nice to meet you. >> i'll be seeing you and your men over there. >> i don't got no food. i don't know what you're sniffing. >> i'm not sure if this handshaking approach is the solution but of all the bad things that could happen in an encounter with the police, i'll take awkward small talk any day. my name is kamau.

>> magda. >> doesn't yoir mother live on fifth street or grand street? >> my aunt. you were at the incident for my daughter and he's still in jail. >> that's good. >> god is good. >> i remember you when you guys came. >> you said he showed up for an incident? >> for my daughter. a guy got fresh with her. >> and did he do a good job handling it? >> yes. >> do you think things are looking up in camden? >> it's getting better as the days go by. >> thank you very much. >> bu-bye. >> this was interesting but honestly, it might take a few hun years of this kind of interaction before communities of color trust the police. we all know right now in america we need way more than a good start.

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♪ back on the beat in camden. i'm heading out on patrol again. this time i'm with officer matt d. deminico. camd >> camden was hiring and i looked at it as a place to learn and plakmake a difference.

whenever i'm patrolling i have a window down. i like to have an ear on the streets. all my sargeants and higher ups have always instilled in my head pay attention. that will save your life. always watch your six. >> and that's behind you? >> yeah. >> i seen the "born identity" i know what you're talking about. i'm kind of half a police officer. i've absorbed a lot through matt damon. what are you doing now? >> we're going to check out a house on marion street most noted for cds activity. drugs controlled dangerous substance. 868. >> 868. >> can you show me on a 40 abandoned shack, marion and kane. roll me an assist please. >> back up? this can't be good. >> so, this is the location. actually, the front door is open. last time i was here, it was

boarded up. >> so you think somebody maybe took the boards off the front door? >> that's what it appears. you used to only be able to get in through the rear. stay there. don't move. have a seat real quick for me, ma'am. i just got to talk to you because you were inside the property? >> yeah. >> you know you can't be in the property? >> there's three people in there sarge. >> let me see your hands now. >> come outside. >> anybody else inside, you need to come out now. if you don't, i will release the dog, he will bite you. ♪ >> come outside with your hands where i can see them. put it down, have a seat.

>> this house, which i don't even feel safe standing in is a well known drug spot in camden. >> this is probably where they were. this is still fresh heroin that has not been used yet. so, the front is completely blown out, or the side is completely blown out. >> you say watch where i step? i feel like watch what i stand under. >> as you can see, there are holes in the ceiling. >> somebody picked out that carpet. should we upgrade? there was discussions about this carpet going in here. >> memories were created. christmas mornings, there that stuff and it took a dark turn. >> and now it's this. and if you thought all this was happening in a deserted area of town, you'd be wrong. you live here in the neighborhood? >> yeah, been here about 10 years already.

>> and did you see what we were a part of? >> yeah, kind of. it's a revolving door. 50, 60 people in and out the house every day. day and night. i mean, come on. my kids be out here, a lot of kids be out here. and they've grown up looking at that, so i'm interested in that. so, let me go do that and now we have another drug user. come on, that's not cool. >> he's right. it isn't cool. and in parts of camden like this, this kind of activity seems normal. and while i'm overwhelmed, this lady seems like she's taking a sunday drive in the park. >> hey, sweetie, how you doing? >> ma'am? >> yes, dear. >> hi, my name's kamau. we're talking about police in camden and you seem to be friends with the police. you live here? >> yes, i do. >> how do you feel about living in camden? >> i love this city.

>> you're smiling and talking. it was like you -- i knew you could see this was happening, but it wasn't -- >> it doesn't effect me. the key is we have to get involved. now, with this drug stuff, we have zombies walking through our streets. there's no excuse for that. and it has to be a proactive approach. if we choose not to get involved, then whatever happens, we can't complain about. the minute we become involved, we're taking ownership of the problem and that means we can dictate how it happens and when it happens. >> i don't know how she can handle this. she has pride in camden and believes it will get better. but for me, at this point, i'm pretty much gutted. there's problems all over the country with police and how they're doing their thing and what they're doing. but we can't have that. it's just depressing.

this is sad. kids should be able to play basketball right there, but i wouldn't let my kids play basketball there. the city has a lot of work to do and i hope this is the police force to do it. because they certainly need a police force that believes in the city and wants them to do better. kids. i can't imagine what it's like to live in this city and i'm sure it's great and people have great things they do here and have pride. but to know that this is always right around the corner. is overwhelming. i can't imagine. this is really emotional.

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♪ left right. >> camden clearly has an idea of how they want their officers to

conduct themselves in the streets. but i want to know more about how they're trained. here at the police academy, potential officers are put through rigorous physical training. >> push it. push it. >> these recruits have a tough and complicated job ahead of them and i got to ask, why would you want to be a cop? so, first question, why did you pick camden? i mean, you could have been police officers anywhere. i hear there's a place called medford lakes. sounds like a barny fife situation. but you all three picked camden. >> my parents are pastors in camden, new jersey. so, i've been in that community for so long. i could have chosen a suburban community which could have been safer as people say but that's not what i felt my calling was and what i have passion for is the urban community. that's where i want to work. >> there's lot of policing to do. >> a lot of diversety as well.

>> is there any part of -- the idea of being police officers scares the shut out of me. is there any part of it -- i get it's a public service and you're helping people and we absolutely need police officers and need highly effective, connected to the community officers. but is there any part you're worried about? >> the only part i'm worried about is the culture towards law enforcement is a lot of people are scared, i'm hoping if i can bring integrity and respecting people's privacy rights, that can help generate a new attitude towards law enforcement. >> the biggest thing is to build trust so we do have a safer environment for both is this community and the officers. >> i'm glad you guys are looking forward to being cops and i think you have the right attitude and good luck in the streets of camden. as we used to say on "hill street blues" let's all be careful out there.

>> thank you. >> thank you, sirs. while some officers thought they call the call to protect and serve, i'm guessing sometimes that comes from watching the liquid metal cop in "terminator 2". >> how, kamau, how's everything? >> but for others, it's in their blood. i'm meeting with officer todd bagby and his father. another blackman of unidentifiable age. this is where you practice and keep your skills tight? >> pretty much. [ gun shots] >> the threat is officially stopped. >> wow. now, in the news a lot of tiemnts people ask why didn't they shoot them in the leg so the person can still be alive. so, why? >> should i give it to you in one word. unfortunately, we're not all bruce willis and denzel washington in real life, if we

shoot for the arm or leg, if he moves t might go in the back and shoot baby suzy and we don't want that. >> you're police officers but you're also black dudes and i'm a black dude, so i'm declaring a black guy meeting right now. talk about the relationship between the black community and the police department. because right now, that seems like it's in a cries. there's a perception that black people have something extra to worry about. >> to me it's the way it's promoted. a lot of incidents don't have to happen base on what i see and hear. if you do exactly what you're told to do. you're told take your hands out of your pockets, it's a safety issue. safety of the officer and the individual. even if you don't agree with it, follow. there's an avenue later on for you to address that. >> it's hard for people to swallow. and i respect police officers. i don't think we should not have

cops but i understand when i see these clips online why they would be upset. i'm not asking about cops in camden. are there bad police officers? >> i would say absolutely. naturally, there's bad human beings. there's bad people and sometimes you know people slip through the cracks so to speak and become police officers and then their true personality comes out after the fact and it's unfortunate but it does happen that way. >> i think for me, it feels the last thing any police officer wants to do is admit another cop is bad because they don't want to cross that thin blue line. if cops could sometimes go, yeah, that cop was not a good cop and we're glad we got him out of here as opposed to saying it's always on citizens to understand why things went down. you know what i'm saying? >> yeah.

>> and for me to talk to officers of color, that's a thing we don't hear from them enough. >> you've asked us questions. >> i'll check you out later. feel free to ask. >> what's your perception of the average police officer now that you've gotn to speak to a few of them? >> a lot of it is pretty fresh for me. everything i'm hearing from people is things i would want to hear from police officers. is this the thing or because the cameras are here? the idea of community policing and the idea of police living -- to me, it just seems like a better way to go. it's better if i come across police officers more often who i get to know than if i only see them when the -- has hit the fan. >> sure. it's all in the news now. media's always reporting on an epidemic of black people being killed. no, it's kind of always been happening. there's an epidemic of people

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♪ whenever i see news stories

about police using deadly force in situations that i don't believe call for deadly force, i always think the same thing. what the hel are police thinking? ♪ so, the camden police have invited me to get into the head of a cop in the heat of a moment. this is a virtual reality center to see how officer w. kamau bell reacts. i'm guessing he would be known for his great hugs. >> it's very interactive. probably about as close to real life as you're going to get without being in real danger. you can maneuver all the way aroun around the platform. they pick up your movements and allows 360 degree interaction. >> this may look like a video game but it's not. take it for me, the fact that it

features real people makes it intense and a little too real. >> i do not want to hurt you. do not go that building, sir. sir, drop the weapon. sir. shots fires. have a male down. send me a 52. >> after every scenario, we do a debrief and let them know what they did right and braung wrong. >> out in the streets this is life and death? >> yes. >> how do you tihink he did? >> excellent. he went from stop and drop the gun and realized he's trying to commit suicide. so, let me trooi talking him through this situation but if need be, i'll have to take it to prevent him from taking anyone else's life. follow me on the stage. >> after sergeant thorten gives

me a crash course on handling a weapon. it's time to begin. have i mentioned i'd rather hug it out. officer fontez is my back up as we check out several suspicious camouflage people in a movie theater, obviously modeled after the movie theater in aurora, colorado. >> where's he at? talk to us. where is he? where's he at? sir, sir. sir? let her go, sir. let her go, sir. you don't want to do this. i got a gun. you don't want to do this, sir. sir, calm down. we can talk about this, we can talk about this, sir. [ gun fire] >> stay in the game. stay in the game. >> please help me.

please help me. >> sir. >> do you know where he's at? i bet that black guy gets shot a lot. >> where's he at? where's he at? all right. just put the gun down. where's he at? get down, get down, police. >> police, get down. get down. ma'am, get down. [ gun fire] >> a 34, 52. another male down. good job. >> you all right? time to find out how i did and hopefully get a hug. >> if you felt that you could take this shot, then, yes, you would have been justified. but you elected to try and talk him down. >> yeah. >> right? >> yes. >> not a wrong thing to do. that was your gut call. and as an officer you make split

second decisions that people have hours and days to criticize. but the only thing you have to realize is every decision you make you have to live with, no one else. keep going? at this point, off duty cop comes out, shows you his badge, has his gun. good control. way not to get sucked up into the scenario. whoa. you're coming in with your partner, you're high and low. you're communicating with -- >> what are you doing, lady? >> she gets shot. [ gun fire] >> freeze. >> he shoots her twice, you and fontez take the chushot and yout him. good job. this is technically a win but it's not. several people still died and these are all things you have to live with and monday morning

you're going to quarterback yourself for the rest of your life. >> apparently i did well. they were clearly surprised that i hadn't just shot everybody. and we all know that most of policing isn't attempted murder suicide. and guy standing on the corner minding his own business and if they do, how often does that guy die? >> should i have have taken the shot? did i have the skills? did i do the right thing? >> obviously, this isn't a real scenario. but and i'm sure the reality is way more intense than this but i did -- it feels intense. any number of things can happen. ♪ it's my last night here and in another effort to bring the city together, there's a basketball gaim between the local team and the camden police. looks like community policing isn't helping their game any. and of course, the police know that it's going to take more

than b-ball and walking the beat to earn the trust and respect from the residents of camden. it's going to take time and many examples of police publicly doing their jobs well without people feeling like they're going too far. it's going to take people feeling like if they call the police, they will come and make a bad situation belter, instead of the reverse. and this is bigger than camden. there's a national crisis happening in our country between communities of color and the police. now, look. do i think community policing will solve all our law enforcement issues? no. but hopefully it is a good start. time will tell. >> that guy looked at me like what are you doing in the front seat? it's a unique experience to be in a cop car and see the look on people's faces as the cop car

passes. i want to say i'm just hanging out. it's not that they look angry but it's they're noticing. it's like the way i feel i would notice if a bob cat drama in old trafford stadium, but it had nothing to do with manchester united's play. what caused the club's final match of the season to be susz spended? the struggle for survival among christians in syria. we will take you to the ancient city of ma lieu la under siege for years. does having a former president as a husband a blessing or a curse for hillary clinton? we'll examine the pros and cons for you. welcome to our viewers in the united states and ul around the world. thank you for joining us as we kick off the week here on "cnn newsroom."