The New York City Police Department has extended its first official olive branch to the public.  As part of the process for eliminating the expansive divide between the public in the wake of the Sean Bell Shooting/ Verdict, Monday, the department launched its initial community outreach program for cops.

Over 1,000 new recruits convened at the Apollo Theater for a four-day program entitled “Advancing Community Trust,” which is designed to address the departments diversity and stop-and-frisk policies which specifically have been scrutinized by the community.  Rev. Lester Williams, the Queens pastor who was to marry Sean Bell and his fiancee believes the boiling tensions have simmered.

“I think it’s very important that we maintain this level of trust, maintain this level of service and work with each other,” he said.  Kelly acknowledged that while the training is a step in the right direction, it’s not going to completely solve the problem.  “We’re always going to have some tension, it’s the nature of what we do. We issue summonses, we use force, we’re the bearers of bad news,” Kelly said. “We always have to work at improving our relations with the community.”

Recruits will graduate next Wednesday and will be required to work in community affairs, checking in regularly with community leaders.  Its a step in the right direction…but a step in such a long journey…I still sustain a level of guarded optimism. Via: NewsOne