Chief Charlie Beck Delivers Testimony to Task Force NR15032SF

Los Angeles: Earlier today, President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing held a public listening session at the University of Cincinnati’s Tangeman University Center Great Hall. Members of the Task Force heard testimony from five panels of witnesses on effective use of evidence-based research, use of force policy, diversity in law enforcement and best practices for police interaction during demonstrations.

For reference, on December 18, 2014, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the Task Force on 21st Century Policing. One of the goals of the Task Force is to identify best practices and make recommendations to the President on how policing practices can promote effective crime reduction while building public trust. Fostering strong, collaborative relationships between local law enforcement and the communities they serve is also a Task Force priority.

The Task Force is also interested in recommendations related to: the role of police leadership from the line officers to supervisors and senior command. The influence of police culture, civilian oversight, early intervention systems, disciplinary systems, use of force policies and how they are reported, investigated and reviewed. Other topics of interest include handling mass demonstrations, the use of military equipment, civil rights enforcement as well as research and data collection.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck was selected to the discussion panel for his continued effort to evolve and refine strategies to further the Los Angeles Police Department’s mitigation of crime, the reduction of gang violence, the containment of terrorism, and the continuation of reforms that brought the Department into compliance with the Federal Consent Decree from 2001-2013.

Chief Beck opened his testimony by expressing his appreciation to the Task Force by stating “I am pleased to be able to contribute to the discussion and debate on what I view as the most important issue facing law enforcement, our communities and in a broader sense, our society today-the issue of civilian oversight of the police.”

To view Chief Beck’s written testimony entitled “Civilian Oversight of the Police in Los Angeles: Collaboration, Activism and Outreach” please visit: http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/2015/01/chief-charlie-becks-testimony-to-president-obamas-task-force-on-21st-century-policing.html