Attorney General Lynch Expands National Community Policing Tour with Trip to Miami-Dade County, Florida

Second Phase to Highlight Six Jurisdictions Effectively Implementing Recommendations from the President’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing Final Report

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch will travel to Miami-Dade County, Florida, on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016, and FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016, to launch the second phase of her national Community Policing Tour.  In this phase, the Attorney General will visit six jurisdictions around the country that have excelled in each of the six pillars discussed in the President’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing final report: (1) Building Trust and Legitimacy; (2) Policy and Oversight; (3) Technology and Social Media; (4) Community Policing and Crime Reduction; (5) Officer Training and Education; and (6) Officer Safety and Wellness.  The trip to Miami Dade County will highlight Pillar 1 – Building Trust and Legitimacy.  As part of the tour, Attorney General Lynch will also visit Portland, Oregon; Indianapolis; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Phoenix; and Los Angeles in the coming months.  

“One of my top priorities as Attorney General is strengthening relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities we serve and protect,” said Attorney General Lynch.  “During the second phase of my Community Policing Tour, I will be highlighting some of the innovative efforts underway around the country to build trust, foster cooperation and enhance public safety.  I look forward to meeting with law enforcement officers, local leaders and residents in the weeks and months ahead to discuss how we can ensure that every American benefits from neighborhoods that are supportive, safe and strong.” 

“We in South Florida are proud of the work we have done to implement the recommendations outlined in the President’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing,” said U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida.  “Through active engagement and meaningful dialogue, members of law enforcement work hard to build trust with the communities they serve.  As an example of this approach, the city of Doral Police Department has adopted the Blue Courage initiative, a training and leadership development course which focuses on how to enhance their officers’ effectiveness and relationships with the citizens they serve.  Many other local departments have also developed robust community policing initiatives.  During Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s visit this week, we will share strategies and continue to identify and cultivate the best practices for creating stronger and safer communities.”

While in Miami-Dade County, the Attorney General will be joined by U.S. Attorney Ferrer, Director Ronald Davis of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason of the Office of Justice Programs and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division for a convening with law enforcement, local officials and other members of the community at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami. 

The Attorney General will also host a youth town hall with student “Peace Ambassadors" to discuss police-community relations and visit the Doral Police Department to recognize the department’s commitment to community policing strategies through the Blue Courage initiative.  Also during her visit, Attorney General Lynch will hold a press availability at the historic Freedom Tower, visit with Miami-Dade Police Department officers and thank them for their service to the community, tour the Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum and visit staff at the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Florida. 

The Attorney General’s national Community Policing Tour builds on President Obama’s commitment to engage with law enforcement and other members of the community to implement key recommendations from the President’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing final report.  The first phase of the tour launched on May 19, 2015, in Cincinnati and also included visits to Birmingham, Alabama; Pittsburgh; East Haven, Connecticut; Seattle; and Richmond, California.