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ATTORNEY GENERAL STATEMENT REGARDING MATTERS IN CINCINNATI

WASHINGTON, DC Attorney General John Ashcroft issued the following statement regarding the Department of Justice's involvement in ongoing matters in Cincinnati:

"I want to thank the citizens, officials and community leaders in Cincinnati for helping to bring calm to the city over the last several weeks. It is important for communities to work together to improve race relations and I hope the cooperative atmosphere that has developed in the city continues to grow and remains strong.

"On April 13, I directed Civil Rights Division attorneys from the Department of Justice to meet with Cincinnati Mayor Charles Luken, City Manager John Shirey, Police Chief Thomas Streicher and other community leaders to conduct a review of the practices, procedures and training of the Cincinnati Police Department and to advise me on steps we should take to best help the city. After a careful review of their reports and other information, I have decided to open a pattern or practice investigation of the Cincinnati Police Department. In addition, the Department of Justice will provide the city and Police Department with expert technical assistance on how to best reform their policing practices."

"The Department will conduct a thorough and independent review of Cincinnati Police Department's policies and practices. Our focus will be on assisting the City to solve its problems and rebuild trust among the citizens of Cincinnati. Trust is necessary for any police department to effectively protect citizens. The Department of Justice will enforce the law to protect Americans' civil rights and also will work cooperatively with the City to institute policing reforms as quickly as possible."

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