MADISON (WKOW) — The Madison Police Department celebrated Black History Month with a community conversation on the city’s south side Thursday.

Members of law enforcement shared how they entered the profession and how their service has shaped their perspectives on policing.

“As a young Black boy, I wanted to be a police officer, but I never saw officers who looked like me. I never thought I could. Today is a day of hope and a day of opportunity,” said Shar-Ron Buie, data and evaluation coordinator for the Office of Justice Reform in Dane County.

Following the discussion, officers answered questions from community members.

“It changes the paradigm because you realize that the police are not them, the police are us. We are all the same, and we are all working toward the same goal, which is to make our community the best place it can possibly be,” Buie said. He added that while he never saw officers who looked like him growing up, he can now inspire others dreaming of the job.