Madison - January & February 2018

“Over the next six and a half years, I was able to learn exactly what
the FBI was about, and it gave me the opportunity to be sure that was
the career I wanted,” he said. “Although this is an honorable profession
in which to serve, it is not for everyone when you consider the fact that
we investigate over 300 federal violations to include cyber-attacks,
homicides, child crimes, public corruption and terrorism, oftentimes
having to confront well-known individuals.”
The FBI places agents within specialties that best suit each
individual’s background. “If a science major is hired, but that person is
tired of the whole ‘chemistry thing,’ he/she can be assigned to other
violations, such as national security threats,” Artis said. He entered
undergraduate school with the idea that he would become a politician
who would help bridge ethnic divides. “Jim Crow laws were still being
observed in some places in the South,” he said. “I wanted to be at the
table that brought about change in our community.”
Fate smiled upon his youthful aspirations, not through public office,
but through public service.
Artis is a special agent assigned to investigate civil rights violations.
“This includes hate crimes, human trafficking, and individuals using
their powers to take advantage of others,” he explained. “We may be
assigned to a case involving a 30-year veteran of the police force who
has a sterling reputation,” he began. “Then one day, the officer just has a
bad day maybe due to professional and/or personal issues. That cop
responds to a call, the suspect reacts negatively, and next thing you
know, we have an alleged violation.” If there are repeated complaints on
an individual or office, Artis checks that out as well.
But he is just one man.
In an effort to smooth the ethnic wrinkles that still raise their ugly
heads, Artis and his department provide satellite training to any law
enforcement personnel and public officials willing to undergo a
rigorous course in cultural diversity management. The training has
proven invaluable, and it is provided at no cost to the participants.
“We teach law enforcement to minimize their mistakes,” he said.
“For example, one can have good intentions when making a routine
stop, and a justified search. However, how will that officer respond
once they notice the individual stopped is wearing a turban or kippah?
We have to understand that each person has certain beliefs regarding
how his property and his person should be handled and treated,
especially in front of other people.” Artis said that even the tensest
situations can be diffused using basic human dignity.
“You must establish rapport. Be honest, clear, empathetic,” he
explained. “It cannot be made personal. We have to understand that
experiences are different, but emotions are universal.”
This extension of basic respect does not just apply to black and
white as is assumed in Mississippi. “Take a look around at the various
types of restaurants you will find in virtually every community,” Artis
said. “You will normally find Asian, Mexican, Greek and others.” These
businesses are representative of our communities at large, and bridging
cultural differences is key to healing diversity wounds. Being in touch
with all manner of citizens includes being able to manage sensitive and
even dangerous situations.
Crisis negotiation is the other area Artis specializes in. Although he
is based in Mississippi, he travels internationally responding to those
types of situations. “Using techniques largely developed by former crisis
negotiators, we help individuals manage their crisis,” he said. “We don’t
fix things, but we help that individual handle whatever it is resolving
things positively,” – a skill that would lend itself to a myriad other
professions.
“The five-day interactive training is not a seminar,” he said. “We
task them with one crisis experience after another to challenge them
emotionally. We need to be confident they can handle it.” This
intensive training is also provided at no cost, but is invaluable to those
who attend – although they do not know it at first. “Participants
oftentimes come in looking bored at having to attend more training,”
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