LOS ANGELES – According to former Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Cheryl Dorsey, today’s protests against racial injustice are continuing because nothing has changed since the 1990s.

Sgt. Dorsey served during the L.A. riots in the 90s and said she always upheld professionalism while serving, but she did not always see her colleagues carry the same resolve.

“I tried to show empathy and compassion when necessary. Relatability when necessary. And on those occasions when I had to make an arrest, whether during a civil disturbance, civil unrest, or protest, I do it and I allow that person to have their dignity as I take them to jail if they have violated crimes,” Sgt. Dorsey said.

Sgt. Dorsey does not believe police officers need more training, nor does she believe more laws or policies need to be implemented. She believes police chiefs need to be bold enough to terminate those who have violated policies already in place.

As a sergeant she was always vocal if she witnessed her team behaving inappropriately.

“When I worked with someone who was treating anyone that was contradictory to our training and my own particular moral values, I wouldn’t allow it,” she said.

Today, as she sees protesters calling for the defunding of police departments, Sgt. Dorsey does not believe that will eliminate police brutality. She believes in voting government leaders into power who will ensure police chiefs do their jobs to completely remove officers who have records of misconduct.

“I would say to police officers, black, white, blue, brown, do your job. Do it the way you were taught. Be professional. Treat people the way you would want anyone to treat your family member if they were out there protesting exercising their first right amendments. And to those who are in a position of authority, I would say hold people accountable. No more lip service. Families are hurting. They should do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do,” Sgt. Dorsey said.

She believes until those changes take place the protests will continue.