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Community Relations Service

The Community Relations Service is the Department's "peacemaker" for community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin. Created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, CRS is the only Federal agency dedicated to assist State and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups with preventing and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, incidents, and civil disorders, and in restoring racial stability and harmony. CRS facilitates the development of viable, mutual understandings and agreements as alternatives to coercion, violence, or litigation. It also assists communities in developing local mechanisms, conducting training, and other proactive measures to prevent or reduce racial/ethnic tension. CRS does not take sides among disputing parties and, in promoting the principles and ideals of non-discrimination, applies skills that allow parties to come to their own agreement. In performing this mission, CRS deploys highly skilled professional conciliators, who are able to assist people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.


Major Activities

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Community Relations Service Director Ondray Harris at the Department of Justice African American History Month Program
February 18, 2009

Good morning, I want to thank you, Attorney General Holder, for your inspiring words on such an important topic and for sharing your personal history with us. Welcome back to the Department of Justice. I am pleased to provide the closing remarks on behalf of the Community Relations Service (also known as CRS) here today.

Full Remarks


CRS Facilitates Community Dialogue in Cortlandt, New York

On December 17, 2007, CRS facilitated a dialogue between law enforcement officials, school district officials, city officials, and multi-cultural community leaders in Cortlandt, New York. The dialogue is being held in response to community and racial tensions following reports that a wooden cross was discovered burning on the front lawn of an African American family.

CRS Facilitates Mediation Agreement Between the Charlottesville, Virginia Police Department and University of Virginia NAACP Chapter

On November 20, 2007, the Charlottesville, Virginia Police Department and the University of Virginia Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) signed a mediation agreement to improve relations between the police department and minority students at the University. The parties agreed to establish communication between the police assigned to patrol functions, especially areas adjacent to the University, and minority students and greater sharing of information with students concerning crime. The parties also agreed to develop opportunities for students of colors to participate in unpaid internships with the police department to learn more about law enforcement. In addition, new students should receive a public safety orientation from the police department.

More Recent Activities . . .

On Common Ground - Law Enforcement Training Video on Sikhism

"On Common Ground serves as a valuable tool in educating law enforcement officials, airport personnel, and various communities across the United States on the cultural and religious practices associated with Sikhism. Awareness of cultural and religious observations, including those of Sikhism, can help avoid misunderstanding and tension. Towards this goal, On Common Ground can assist the public in understanding the challenges and realizing the contributions of the Sikh community in the United States. Former CRS Director Sharee Freeman, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and other local, state, and federal agencies are to be commended for their extraordinary efforts in making On Common Ground possible."
                                                                                                     —  Director Ondray T. Harris

"The First Three to Five Seconds" - Law Enforcement Roll Call Training Video on Arab and Muslim Cultural Awareness

You will need the Macromedia Flash Player 7 in order to view the videos, for more information please contact your helpdesk or review the following link for more information:

http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash



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