Community Relations Service

DARYL BORGQUIST
202/305-2935
Atkins Warren
816/426-7434
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/CRS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS) Director Sharee M. Freeman will be the keynote speaker for the 13^th Annual Regional Law Enforcement Executives Training Conference cosponsored by CRS on August 14, 2002, at 8:30 a.m., in Overland Park, Kansas. The Conference will be held from August 14-16, 2002, at the Doubletree Hotel, 10100 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas.

"As you know, one of the key topics of this year's forum is the necessity of a strong working relationship between local law enforcement and the federal government. I can't think of a timelier topic. I long have believed that the best ideas come from the field, and events such as this one make it possible for the federal government to benefit from your expertise, while you learn more about the resources federal law enforcement can provide," said Director Sharee M. Freeman.

The annual conference is cosponsored by the Community Relations Service and the Overland Park, Kansas Police Department. Other conference participants include the U.S. Attorney for the District of Western Missouri and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas. The conference topics will address contemporary policing issues and the formation of partnerships between police and communities to resolve crime and community conflict.

Please note that conference workshops and sessions are not open to the press, however, the CRS Director, CRS staff, and most participants will be available to the press.

For more information about the Community Relations Service, a unique racial conflict resolution and prevention agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, or to obtain information on best practices on responding to hate crimes and racial conflict, please see its web site at: www.usdoj.gov/crs.