The San Diego Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is pleased to announce Reverend Dr. Gerald W. Brown as the 2020 recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner presented the award to Reverend Brown during a ceremony held today at the San Diego Field Office.

Director’s Community Leadership Award

The FBI can only conduct investigations and protect the American people if it has the support and understanding of the American people. That’s why the special agents-in-charge of each of our 56 field offices work so closely with their communities and community organizations. What happens when these special agents-in-charge get such tremendous support from people in their communities that they want to specially recognize them? They nominate these remarkable individuals for a prestigious award. This award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.

2020 San Diego FBI—DCLA Recipient – Reverend Dr. Gerald W. Brown

Based on his leadership, commitment to unity, and passion for community service, FBI San Diego honors Reverend Brown as the 13th Annual FBI DCLA recipient and extends profound appreciation for the significant contributions and service he provides to the community of San Diego.

Reverend Brown serves as the Executive Director of the United African American Ministerial Action Council; Executive Director for the City of San Diego Citizens Advisory Board on Community Relations; and a member of the San Diego Regional Anti-Hate Crimes Coalition. These roles highlight Reverend Brown’s passion and tenacity to bridge real and perceived divisions between law enforcement and the community. His work is centered on building trust and respect for all.

A significant component of the mission of the FBI Civil Rights Program is outreach and liaison efforts with federal, state, local, and tribal governmental agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, and potential victim communities to ensure the civil rights of all persons are protected. Reverend Brown has assisted the FBI and law enforcement partners to establish critical relationships which were particularly important in addressing community concerns during the civil unrest and heightened tensions of 2020.

Through his extensive community involvement, Reverend Brown serves as a voice for the community which allows him to provide an important and insightful perspective regarding civil rights matters for law enforcement, civic, community, and interfaith leaders. Reverend Brown also serves as a liaison back to the community by raising awareness of anti-hate crime initiatives, prevention programs, crime reporting, and law enforcement resources available for the community.

For example, as Executive Director of the Citizens Advisory Board, Reverend Brown spearheads a team which consults and advises the San Diego Mayor, City Council, and City Manager on community and police relations and crime prevention efforts. He also serves as a lecturer at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Regional Leadership Institute on the history of the relationship between the African American community and law enforcement.

Furthermore, this past year, Reverend Brown participated in various civil rights events and community discussions hosted by the FBI focused on educating the community about the FBI’s role in investigating hate-related incidents, civil rights protections, and encouraging opening lines of communications with the FBI.

As a graduate of the 2019 FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Program, Reverend Brown serves as an ambassador of the FBI through his leadership in the community as he continues to help build understanding, trust, and respect between the community and law enforcement. Reverend Brown truly embodies the FBI’s core values of respect, integrity, compassion, fairness, and leadership. For his contributions and leadership, Reverend Brown is awarded the 2020 DCLA.

Traditionally, DCLA recipients across the nation attend an awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C., where they are recognized and honored by FBI Director Christopher Wray. Due to current COVID-19 related restrictions, this year’s ceremony was cancelled, and awards were provided to the recipients by the local special agent in charge.