Community Relations: “We have to understand what it’s like to be a citizen who might worry that calling the police will make things worse.” – James Comey We have to understand what it’s like to be a citizen who might worry that calling the police will make things worse. Who might actually fear us rather than dismiss that perspective … Read More
FBI Director Comey Sees Mutual Understanding and Empathy as Solution to Police Community Relations
James B. Comey, FBI Director speaking at the FBI/BCRI Annual Conference on Civil Rights, 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama, May 25, 2016 made an eloquent plea for mutual understanding and empathy: “We have to understand what it’s like to be a citizen who might worry that calling the police will make things worse. Who might actually fear us rather than … Read More
FBI Director Comey: History Justifies Cynicism and Distrust from African Americans
In a candid reflection of the history of the relationship between police and the African American community, FBI Director James Comey asks the policing professionals to better understand and address the roots of cynicism and distrust. “We in law enforcement have to see ourselves clearly. We need to understand our history, much of which is not pretty. The truth is … Read More
James Comey, FBI Director: Using Force and Police Power with Reverence and Responsibility, James Comey, FBI Director
In May, 2015, in an important speech on police community relations, FBI Director James Comey urged the law enforcement community to be vigilant to avoid the temptations to abuse their power. “[B]ecause we have [great] power, we … need to constantly remind ourselves of the dangers of power. John Adams once wrote to Thomas Jefferson, “Power always thinks it has … Read More
Notable Speech: James Comey – “Law Enforcement and the Communities We Serve”
We have to understand what it’s like to be a citizen who might worry that calling the police will make things worse. Who might actually fear us rather than dismiss that perspective because it makes no sense to us given the way that we know ourselves. We need to feel it. And with an open heart and an open mind, … Read More