RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Felician University Black Student Union hosted a critical roundtable discussion titled, “Know Ur Rights,” as part of Black History Month. This important event allowed students to engage in an open discussion with a panel of law enforcement officials about rights and safety. Panelists included Chief John Russo of the Rutherford Police Department along with Senior Assistant Prosecutor Karen Gwynn, Lt. Michael Perez and Det. John Onwuka from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Director of Campus Safety and Security Gary Boesch of the Anzilotti Group, organized the event and remarked, “The evening was a success as we brought in law enforcement professionals to sit down with our students and have a really candid conversation about the reality of interactions between police and the public. The student participation was phenomenal with many thought-provoking questions that brought honest answers and sound advice from the law enforcement officials.”

Students asked questions about their rights when getting pulled over, what to do when approached by police both on and off-campus, what to say, what to do when they’re uncomfortable with police, rules about recording interactions, and body cameras.

The roundtable discussion comes at a pivotal time for attaining better understanding and perspective, and preventing police and public interactions from escalating.