Law Enforcement Executives Attend Civil Rights Seminar in Worcester

BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office, Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Worcester sponsored a civil rights seminar today for law enforcement executives.  District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. and nearly 100 other law enforcement executives from federal, state and local agencies attended the seminar which was hosted by the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said, "Effective police practices and training programs are important tools to prevent officer misconduct and to improve the community’s confidence with law enforcement.  Today's training was an important opportunity to reeducate executives, learn from the mistakes of others and in some cases reaffirm areas where police departments are doing it right."

During the seminar, staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption and Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. provided participants with information about how police departments can implement or enhance procedures that may reduce officer misconduct.  Participants also learned how the Department of Justice has assisted law enforcement and communities with improving relationships as a result of police pattern or practice investigations.  The East Haven Police Department in Connecticut provided insight about its November 2012 consent decree with the Department, and the Community Relations Service provided presentations about fundamental human bias and conflict de-escalation.

“I want to thank U.S. Attorney Ortiz and the Department of Justice for coming to Worcester today.  We need to be proactive on the issues of misconduct, fundamental human bias, and conflict de-escalation.  Seminars like this are a great chance for our local public safety officers to discuss best practices with their counterparts from across the state,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty.

Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus said, “Quality, community policing is imperative for the health and vitality of a city and the well-being and peace of mind of its residents. I am thankful to all the police officials who demonstrated their commitment to those ideals by attending this seminar, and to the office of U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, the FBI and DOJ’s Community Relations Service for sponsoring and to the College of the Holy Cross for hosting this important, timely event.”
“The FBI's Civil Rights Program is committed to restoring trust in law enforcement and to educating our partners about lessons learned from those who have abused their power and abandoned their responsibilities,” said Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Division.

“The city of Worcester’s leadership should be commended for hosting a seminar on civil rights for law enforcement,” said Francis Amoroso, Regional Director of the Community Relations Service in New England.

 “I was proud to be a part of such a timely and important seminar,” District Attorney Early said. “Raising awareness of civil rights among our law enforcement partners was an admirable undertaking.  I was glad to be a part of it.”

If you would like information about how to sponsor a civil rights seminar in the District of Massachusetts, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 617-748-3100 and ask to speak to the Law Enforcement Coordinator.