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Ask a cop, get beyond 'protect and serve'

caption: KUOW's Ask A Cop event at the Tukwila Community Center
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KUOW's Ask A Cop event at the Tukwila Community Center
KUOW PHOTO/LISA WANG

“To protect and serve.” That’s the motto of many police agencies. But recent police shootings in Seattle and around the nation have undermined respect for the job cops do.

What do cops from around King County have to say about the role they play in our society? Most of us don't get a chance to talk to police officers about their work and how they impact our communities.

KUOW hosted a “Ask a Cop” event to prompt more conversation.

KUOW’s 'Ask A...'® events create a safe and respectful environment for people to explore each other's views. We set up one-on-one conversations for six minutes. After that, a bell rings, chairs are swapped and another conversation begins. At the end, we host a group discussion and a meal.

This event took place at the Tukwila Community Center on Saturday, September 16, 2017. You can listen in to some of the conversations below.

caption: April and Chris KUOW's Ask a Cop event
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April and Chris KUOW's Ask a Cop event
KUOW Photo/Lisa Wang

April and Chris

caption: Carol and Kim at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
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Carol and Kim at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
KUOW Photo/Lisa Wang

Carol and Kim

caption: Shilo and Carol at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
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Shilo and Carol at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
KUOW Photo/Lisa Wang

Shilo and Carol

caption: Carl and Angela at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
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Carl and Angela at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
KUOW Photo

Carl and Angela

caption: Julie and Maggie at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
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Julie and Maggie at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
KUOW Photo

Julie and Maggie

caption: Martin and Brandon at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
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Martin and Brandon at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
KUOW Photo/Lisa Wang

Martin and Brandon

caption: Jennifer and Carl at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
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Jennifer and Carl at KUOW's Ask a Cop event
KUOW Photo/Lisa Wang

Jennifer and Carl

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