Baltimore Mayor To Speak At National Police Task Force
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she is honored after being chosen to speak at a policing task force put together by President Barack Obama.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on what the mayor plans to say during the discussion.
The mayor says taking the issues of policing directly to the president is a step in the right direction when it comes to building better relationships and trust between citizens and the police, not only in Baltimore but across the country.
Issues of police brutality in Baltimore City and across the country have supported the national cry for change in how police and citizens interact.
Monday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake---who has spearheaded an effort in the city for better relationships between officers and residents---is now taking her efforts to the federal government after being asked to join a police task force put together by President Obama to offer recommendations on ways to improve public trust.
"We need to think more innovatively about how to improve transparency and accountability to maintain the community's trust. I know trust is not static; it's something you have to nurture and maintain," Rawlings-Blake said.
The city of Baltimore has spent nearly $12 million to pay out victims of alleged police brutality over the last few years. Community leaders have laid out their concerns for the mayor to take to the White House.
"We also talked about communication. That is one of the big concerns the community has had," said Inez Robb.
Just last week, the mayor announced plans for new schedules for city police officers that would put more of them on the streets during peak times of crime. The mayor said Monday such resources are vital in strengthening the relationship between residents and police.
"We have to figure out a way that those groups that want the same things can work better together," she said.
The task force is interested in hearing recommendations related to workforce diversity, racial reconciliation, youth relations and police unions.
The mayor will head to Washington DC Tuesday. She will join a number of other city leaders from across the nation in the discussion.
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