The protests, tensions, and rally cries for community policing change across the county are catching the attention of many lawmakers, policy makers, and police.
The issues and circumstances fueling protests since officer-involved deaths in Ferguson, New York, Cleveland and other cities was the major topic at the Texas Congressional Community Policing Summit on Thursday.
"The public has really been disturbed," said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
Johnson hosted the Summit at the University of Texas at Arlington, with her colleagues: Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Marc Veasey, and the Texas State Conference of the NAACP.
"The attitude generally that I'm getting feedback from in the country is fear of out-of-control police." said Congresswoman Johnson.
Several police agencies, lawyers, community and civil rights groups gathered for the Summit. The goal, according to organizers, was to discuss the tensions in hopes of coming up with strategies for change. They hoped to find ways to create partnerships for community policing.
"Without dialogue, then you are left with trying to come up with solutions by yourself," said Chief Will Johnson of Arlington Police Department.
Some panelists discussed the need for improved data collection in police departments and diversity in recruiting. Chief Deputy Marian Brown discussed challenges of cultural diversity training for law enforcement programs.
"The training is only as good as the content that is given in the training," said Brown. "So, what we've been discussing is how to make our content more substantive, if you will, so that we can further reach our community."
The Congress members say they plan to share the ideas and strategies discussed during the Summit with their colleagues and the White House Task Force.
