Community Relations Service

The Community Relations Service (CRS) is a separate unit within DOJ’s Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. For over 60 years, CRS has been “America’s Peacemaker". Title X of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, established the CRS with the mandate to offer assistance to communities where “disputes, disagreements, or difficulties” threaten peaceful relations among the citizens of the community involved regarding discriminatory practices based on race, color, or national origin. CRS may respond to communities shaken by mass violence, civil disorder, and other critical incidents and offer neutral and impartial assistance through a variety of services (i.e., mediation, facilitated dialogues, training, and/or consultation).

All CRS services are confidential and provided free of charge to the communities that voluntarily request or accept CRS’s assistance. CRS is not an investigatory or prosecutorial agency and has no law enforcement authority. CRS works with all parties to develop solutions to conflict and serves as a neutral, impartial party.