How Black Police Officers Combat Systemic Racism at Work.

The article focuses on how Black police officers actively combat systemic racism within law enforcement through everyday anti-racist actions. Drawing on interviews with 48 Black officers, the research highlights their motivations to join policing as a means to drive change from within, their strategies such as educating colleagues and communities, promoting respect, and uplifting Black individuals both in the force and the community. Despite facing significant racism, backlash, and isolation at work and from their communities, these officers sustain their efforts by maintaining a clear purpose, leveraging their unique dual identities, and recognizing incremental progress. The findings suggest that while organizational policy reform is necessary, individual employees across industries can also contribute meaningfully to anti-racism through persistent, informed actions.