Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Ested.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a broken home without a mother or father from a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. I never had any positive upbringings or influences within my parents immediate family. So, I spent most of my childhood in the foster care system. Growing up in my neighborhood, I saw the worst side of policing. But that did not stop me from pursuing a career in law enforcement and the reason behind my book, Police Brutality Matters.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There will always be struggles along the way in whatever career or ventures you decide to pursue. Some people are just more focused, strong-willed and determined to work towards attaining their goals, both short term, and long term, regardless of what obstacles they are faced with during that journey.
While in law enforcement, I learned the deeper truths about policing and the issues of systematic racism by experiencing these issues from within the different departments. I’ve witnessed the loyalty within the blue walls and the “protect your own” police culture mentality when officers engaged in excessive force and brutality on the streets of American cities. My integrity to do what was right caused my peers to turn a blind eye to discrimination practices, abusive behavior and retaliation by my peers and police management.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
My organization, Police Brutality Matters, mission is to bring in-depth awareness and education, not only to communities affected by police brutality and police misconduct but the communities who are able to help bring awareness to the masses. Our goal is to identify bad cops and hold them accountable while supporting good law enforcement officers.
During my time in law enforcement, I’ve held positions as a corrections officer, police officer, police investigator, and sheriff’s deputy. I’ve held a security clearance with the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security. I also served in Afghanistan as a police adviser and instructor for the Afghanistan Police Training Program. I was elected to Vice President of the police union because of my outspoken views against police management misconduct.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a broken home without a mother or father from a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. I never had any positive upbringings or influences within my parents immediate family. So, I spent most of my childhood in the foster care system. Growing up in my neighborhood, I witnessed my first homicide in the adjacent building, I experienced drug abuse and addictions with alcoholism within my immediate family.
I attended a failing school system with no resources to follow my goals and dreams. But after moving around from foster care to family homes, I was able to move in with my brother who helped me obtain a GED and started my career in law enforcement.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3182 Glenwood Rd. Ste B
Decatur, GA 30032 - Website: www.policebrutalitymatters.com
- Phone: 6789529903
- Email: pbm4change@policebrutalitymatters.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/policebrutalitymatters
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/policebrutalitymattersllc
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/pbm4change
Image Credit:
Brenda Ford
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