The Government Alliance on Race and Equity and the Center for Social Inclusion held a webinar, “Race, Community and Policing” on April 6, 2015.
Policing, criminal justice and racial equity have been national topics over the last few months. Some of the conversations have been polarizing. The reality, however, is that the desire for public safety and racial equity are often shared values, both within police departments and in the community.
The question is: Given the large racial inequities across many aspects of the criminal justice system, what are the best strategies for achieving racial equity and maintaining public safety? How can police departments work more intentionally in support of racial equity? And how can police departments work to ensure meaningful community participation and ownership in these efforts?
The webinar highlighted police department efforts taking place within three jurisdictions, as well as community expertise. Panelists shared their own department’s work to eliminate racial inequities within the criminal justice system, working within the system, and in partnership with community.
The agenda included:
Welcome –
- Glenn Harris, President, Center for Social Inclusion
Opportunities for Government to Advance Racial Equity –
- Julie Nelson, Director, Government Alliance on Race and Equity
Panel Discussion –
- Police Chief Larry O’Dea, City of Portland
- Police Chief Tom Smith, City of Saint Paul
- Officer Martin Welte, Seattle Police Department Race and Social Justice Lead, City of Seattle
- Lisa Daugaard, Policy Director at the Public Defender Association and Co-Chair of the Seattle Community Police Commission
- Chris Brown, PolicyLink