Chief Beck Addresses Law Enforcement Leaders in Washington, D.C. NR15358rh

Washington DC: Chief Charlie Beck met with top law enforcement leaders today to launch the new “Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration” group at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Chief Beck addressed the group to support the new initiative’s goals of increasing alternatives to arrest and prosecution, using law enforcement resources to focus on preventing violence and dealing with violent offenders, and strengthening police-community relations.

At the event Chief Beck stated:

“We’ve come to recognize that the issues that we deal with cannot be solved by merely locking people up and throwing away the key. . . .We have to look at things such as treatment. We have to look at issues such as placement. We have to look at what to do with people when they leave jail; pathways to success instead of pathways to prison placement in programs that can lead people to a life of sobriety and one of non-violence.”

Chief Beck was joined by police chiefs and law enforcement officials from throughout the country including:

Garry McCarthy, Superintendent, Chicago Police Department Ronal Serpas, former Superintendent, New Orleans Police Department Cathy Lanier, Chief, Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Charles McClelland, Chief, Houston Police Department Benjamin David, District Attorney, New Hanover County & Pender County, North Carolina