POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS D.C. discussion to be focus

After watching the broadcast, local officials will have their own discussion.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City officials, community leaders and Warren-Trumbull Urban League officials will meet today to discuss the use of force by law enforcement.
"We are planning to meet at Time Warner Cable on U.S. Route 422 to watch the live panel discussion from Washington, D.C., which deals with law enforcement's use of force," said Tom Conley, president and CEO of the Warren-Trumbull Urban League. "The national president of the urban league, Marc Morial, will be opening the discussion. There will be several people in law enforcement, and Esther Bush, the president and CEO of the Urban League of Pittsburgh, taking part in the national discussion."
After watching the broadcast, Conley said the local officials will have their own discussion.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos, Doug Franklin, the city's safety-service director, Mayor Michael O'Brien and Wil Harris, from Congressman Tim Ryan's office, will be some of the local leaders attending the D.C. discussion, Conley said.
"I see this as a way of bridging the gap between the community and the police department," Conley said. He noted that last year several people filed federal lawsuits against the city police department alleging illegal strip-searches. He noted that the goal of the discussion is to increase the level of trust and mutual respect between the law enforcement entities and the community.
"This is an endeavor to educate and create awareness in the community on the rights and wrongs of law enforcement," Conley said. "I think this is a positive step and a way to open communications. I personally called the police chief, whom I hadn't spoke to in a year, and asked him to attend. He said he would."
Franklin said he thinks the discussion is a positive step for the community.
"This discussion also deals with community-oriented policing services, and I think that's very important," Franklin said. "About two months ago we started a program in which we tell all the officers that for 10 minutes every hour they are to get out of their cars and to talk to the residents. It's been very effective. It's a good way to reach out to residents."
sinkovich@vindy.com