Listen: A Conversation on Community Policing

Over the past few months, hundreds of thousands of Americans have signed petitions on our We the People petitions platform related to community policing, in the wake of the police-involved deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, and others. This week, we invited these petition signers to join a White House call about improving community-police relations.

Yesterday's conversation participants included:

• Roy Austin, Deputy Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity
• Brittany Packnett, Member of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing
• DJ Patil, U.S. Chief Data Scientist
• David Wilkinson, Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

During the call, they highlighted new steps we're taking to improve community-police relations through the use of open data, demilitarizing local police forces, and other recommendations from the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

The participants also answered some questions that petition signers submitted in advance of the call -- questions such as what we can achieve by looking at police data on a national level, or how we can change the view of the community to one where police are seen as "guardians" instead of "occupiers."

If you missed yesterday's call, you can listen to the full discussion below. (And if you want to be in the loop about future events like this, make sure to visit We the People and add your voice by creating or signing a petition.)

On the Task Force on 21st Century Policing:

On the Police Data Initiative:

Question 1:

"Would it be possible to regulate police nationwide with the same standards we regulate our military through the UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice] or similar legal framework?" — David S.

Question 2:

"What do you think data scientists will be able to achieve by looking at, and having access to, police data on a national level?" — James H.

Question 3:

"Regarding the use of open data, how can you assure quality when the real possibility of partial data exists?" — Malarie K.

Question 4:

"Many in minority communities see the police force, even with increased minority representation, as "occupying armies." How do we change the view of the community to one where the police are seen as "guardians" as opposed to "occupiers"?" — Michael O.

Question 5:

"How can we communicate the perspectives of each side to the other side (community perspectives on law enforcement and vice versa)?" — Anjelica S.

Now, dig deeper:

• Fact sheet: "Creating Opportunity for All Through Stronger, Safer Communities"
• Final report and recommendations from the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing
• Launch of the Police Data Initiative
• Final report from the Law Enforcement Equipment Working Group
• The Department of Justice's national body-worn camera toolkit
• President Obama's remarks to youth and law enforcement in Camden, NJ