In the chaotic year of 2020, I found myself confined to my home, endlessly scrolling through posts, each telling the story of an innocent Black victim who was betrayed by a system that was meant to protect them. Although each story appeared to be unique, they were scarily similar. Whether it was a young Black boy walking home with a toy gun, a Black man shopping, or even a Black woman sleeping in her own home, each story ended with them being brutally murdered by the police. This pattern has become dangerously common. Not only has it hardened a form of systemic oppression against African Americans, but it has further eroded the trust that Black Americans had in law enforcement agencies. To improve the relationship between police agencies and African American communities, there must be a plan that incorporates mental health agencies and promotes de-escalation within their program. In 2019, a 23-year-old Black man, Elijah McClain, was arrested and killed for "looking suspicious" during his walk home. He was restrained and pinned to the ground, in which he vomited several times. Paramedics were called to the scene and they injected Elijah with twice as much ketamine than his body could handle. He died a few days later through a combination of factors. Elijah had previously struggled with his mental health, which played a large role in his interaction with the officers. They approached Elijah without the nuance of dealing with someone who may have mental health issues, which was aggressive and confrontational. They could have benefited from a softer and more conversational interaction. Law enforcement agencies' perceived notion of Black Americans is strictly fueled by racial stereotypes assuming violent behavior. There has been a long history of an "us" vs. "them" within the Black community, so the relationship has never been strong. This cycle has continued since time immemorial. A crucial step to improving the relationship between African Americans and law enforcement agencies is training that promotes de-escalation rather than immediate force. This would give Black individuals the ability to communicate with the officer. Once they look past stereotypes that dehumanize the community members they serve, they will be viewed through the prism of a person rather than a criminal first. This method also helps lower the chances of physical confrontations that result in injury or death. It shifts the goal from arrest to assessment. Law enforcement agencies should also incorporate mental health agencies into their program and training. Initiatives like the BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation have created the Mental Health and Law Enforcement Alliance Project. This project lets those in a manic state call a mental health representative, who may accompany an officer. This allows the individual to receive adequate assistance while in that condition. The realities of racism targeted towards African Americans have created unique challenges within society, whether that be through health care, job marketing, and particularly public safety. So it is important to address this life-or-death threat. By addressing and reforming these issues, law enforcement can begin to build further trust with the African American community. Expanding mental health agencies and de-escalation techniques is a promising step toward reform. This approach can help change attitudes, reducing people's immediate defensiveness with police interactions. Building bridges within the community is an ultimate step that gives them the ability to forge trust with those who officers are meant to protect and serve.