Community Relations Service

DARYL BORGQUIST
202/305-2935
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/CRS

      WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Department of Justice Community Relation Service (CRS) Director Sharee M. Freeman will address the National Asian Peace Officers' Association Training Conference, "Networking/United for Excellence," on August 26, 2002 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Conference will be held from August 24-29, 2002, at the Hilton Hotel New Orleans Riverside, 2 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.

      "More than 11 million Americans trace their roots to Asia and the islands of the Pacific. Asian and Pacific American communities are some of the fastest growing populations in the U.S. The American-Asian community itself is diverse, comprising dozens of nationalities, ethnicities, religious traditions, and language groups. These differences present challenges for law enforcement TO SERVE AND PROTECT Asian American communities, but we know such diversity forms the basis for a vibrant heritage. This is a heritage of which you can be proud," said CRS Director Sharee M. Freeman.

      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 police use of excessive force, hate crimes, and racial conflict, please see its web site at: www.usdoj.gov/crs.