~ Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Remarks as prepared for delivery
Thank you, U.S. Attorney [Joyce] Vance, for that kind
introduction; for your lifelong commitment to public service; and for your exceptional
work on behalf of the people of this community.
It’s a privilege to join so many law enforcement officers, student and
faith leaders, and community officials as we take this opportunity to discuss
the critical work underway here in Birmingham and in cities across the
country. I’d like to thank Chief of
Police [A.C.] Roper for welcoming me to Birmingham and for his exemplary
leadership of the Birmingham Police Department.
I’d also like to thank Priscilla Cooper, President of the Birmingham
Civil Rights Institute, for hosting us this afternoon and for the wonderful
tour of the institute. And I’d like to
thank everyone who helped make today’s event possible.
As you all know, our country has recently witnessed a series
of deeply distressing events in cities experiencing a breakdown in trust
between law enforcement officers and the citizens we serve. Each new tragedy has weighed heavily on our
hearts and put a spotlight on deeply-rooted issues we are still confronting as
a nation. That spotlight has in some
ways helped us make progress. Important
conversations have begun within our communities and across our nation and
groups that have felt marginalized are standing up and speaking out as never
before. These are important
developments. But in order to keep
healing the rifts that divide us, we must continue to work together, to be
constructive and assume good faith on all sides and to seek out new ideas and
fresh approaches.
Restoring essential trust where it has eroded is one of my
top priorities as Attorney General and I want you all to know that the
Department of Justice will do everything we can to help. That’s why I am convening roundtable
discussions like this one – beginning last month in Cincinnati and continuing
in the coming weeks in East Haven, Connecticut; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
Seattle, Washington; and Richmond, California.
Through conversations like this one, I want to highlight the innovative
ways you all are strengthening police-community relations and to think about
how the steps you’re taking can be translated into other jurisdictions. I am hopeful that these vital conversations
will help guide the transformative change we would all like to see nationwide.
I’m here in Birmingham because this city’s law enforcement
and elected leaders understand that progress requires us to work closely
together – across issues, across backgrounds and across neighborhoods – to make
sure the entire community thrives. From
the police department’s citizen’s police academy – which gives individuals from
all walks of life a close-up view of police work and a deeper appreciation for
its challenges – to the city’s demonstrated interest in using new technology to
promote accountability and trust – Birmingham’s leaders have shown unwavering
dedication to community-oriented policies that advance public safety, reduce
crime and foster mutual trust and respect.
I’m also here in Birmingham because this community understands the need
for commitment, engagement and ongoing communication with police and government
on these important issues. You have
taken advantage of your unique history and used it to come together on this and
so many other important issues.
The Department of Justice is committed to supporting you and
your work at every step, which is why I am pleased that Birmingham is one of
six pilot sites for the national initiative for building community trust and
justice. The initiative is a long-term
effort to foster lasting ties and enduring trust between law enforcement
officials and the citizens they serve.
By focusing on three core concepts – advancing procedural justice,
reducing implicit bias and supporting reconciliation – the initiative is
intended to strengthen community policing, ensure that people are treated
fairly and put longstanding tensions and misconceptions finally to rest. In Birmingham and our other pilot sites, we
will work with local leaders to develop an overall plan for progress, as well
as specific strategies tailored to each city’s needs. We will lend guidance to help pilot sites
implement data-driven methods to evaluate their success. And we will use the results in each pilot
city to identify and define best practices that will steer efforts nationwide
for years to come.
This is vitally important work. You know from your own experience that when
police and residents share strong, reliable and resilient relationships,
residents are more likely to help with investigations and police will more
often hear from victims and witnesses of crime.
And when officers receive the tools, training and support they need,
they are better able to serve their neighbors and constituents safely and
effectively. With the bold steps you are
taking in Birmingham to realize those goals, you have put yourselves at the
leading edge of what it will take to keep the American people safe in the 21st
century.
I want you to know that the Department of Justice – and the
entire Obama Administration – will stay engaged on these issues and stand
alongside you not just now, but for the long term. We know how much work is ahead of us. We understand we face difficult
challenges. I have no illusions that
these issues will be solved overnight. But from what I have seen and heard in my
visit today, I am confident that this city will provide a shining example of
what we can achieve when dedicated public servants, passionate community
members and devoted law enforcement
officers come together to create the stronger, safer, more united community
that all Americans deserve. I look
forward to working with you in the days and months ahead and I want to thank
you all, once again, for your partnership, your leadership and your justly
renowned hospitality.
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