Earlier this week U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch delivered remarks at the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) national conference, held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. During her remarks, the Attorney General assured the organization of over 300,000 officers that the U.S. Department of Justice is dedicated to working with the FOP to “build bridges” of understanding that transcend boundaries and recommit those in law enforcement to fulfilling the mission of the FOP’s brotherhood.

Recognizing the important work being done to improve community-police relations through the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice and other programs, she also encouraged police officers to tell their story to the nation. “People who look at you and see a uniform and make assumptions — both positive and negative — will always try to tell your story for you,” stated the Attorney General. “But no one knows your story like you do. No one else can talk about that moment when you have to decide how to defuse a situation, always aware that all may walk away alive or none, including you. You are the ones who must tell the story of policing in this country because this country needs to hear it.” Sharing the observation of a child who described police as “peacemakers”, she challenged FOP members to spread their story so that every American can have the opportunity to know a law enforcement officer in the same light.

To visit the National Initiative clearinghouse website, click here.

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