CRS: News:U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE (CRS) ANNOUNCES MEDIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP COALITION IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, February 27, 2003, U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS) Director Sharee M. Freeman will address a National Sheriffs' Association Mid-Winter Conference panel from 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, located at 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Director Freeman will talk about CRS' on-going efforts to improve law enforcement relations with communities of color. CRS has been at the forefront of helping law enforcement agencies to build effective partnerships with these communities through the implementation of community law enforcement programs that assist both parties in addressing racial and ethnic issues.

For more information about the Community Relations Service, a racial conflict resolution and prevention component of the U.S. Department of Justice, or to obtain information on best practices on responding to police use of excessive force, hate crimes, and racial conflict, please refer to the CRS web site at: www.usdoj.gov/crs.

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	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2003	CONTACT:	Daryl Borgquist 202/305-2966 www.usdoj.gov/crs
	WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, February 27, 2003, U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS) Director Sharee M. Freeman will address a National Sheriffs' Association Mid-Winter Conference panel from 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, located at 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. Director Freeman will talk about CRS' on-going efforts to improve law enforcement relations with communities of color. CRS has been at the forefront of helping law enforcement agencies to build effective partnerships with these communities through the implementation of community law enforcement programs that assist both parties in addressing racial and ethnic issues. For more information about the Community Relations Service, a racial conflict resolution and prevention component of the U.S. Department of Justice, or to obtain information on best practices on responding to police use of excessive force, hate crimes, and racial conflict, please refer to the CRS web site at: www.usdoj.gov/crs. ###