Constitution and Citizenship Day: Democracy, Law Enforcement, and the Constitution

Constitution and Citizenship Day commemorates the day in 1787 when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the original four-page Constitution of the United States of America. Buffalo State will observe Constitution Day on Thursday, September 15, with a panel discussion about the role of police in a democratic society. The event will be held in Bulger Communication Center South 2 from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.

“The Constitution addresses the relationship between the government of the United States and its citizens,” said Scott Phillips, associate professor of criminal justice and one of the panelists. “This presentation’s purpose is to contribute to the current discussion on policing and law enforcement in a society that values individual freedom and liberty.”

James Sobol, chair and associate professor of criminal justice, will open the discussion. Phillips’s presentation, The Role of Police Militarization in a Democratic Society, will reflect his ongoing research and findings to date in this area. Peter Carey, chief of university police, will discuss some of the practical considerations faced by police agencies.

A moderated discussion will follow the half-hour presentation. The public is invited to join the campus community.

Perceptions of America
A second event celebrating Constitution Day will take place on Wednesday, September 21. A panel of immigrants and refugees will discuss their perceptions of America before their arrival, and how their perceptions have changed since then. The panel, moderated by Peter Yacobucci, associate professor of political science, will be held in E. H. Butler Library 210 at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.