A group of Syracuse pastors and ministers are partnering with the police department to open a dialogue about any questions concerning police conduct. They say they're hoping to avoid the disconnect that led to the deadly encounters with police in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City. Pastor Daren Jaime of People's AME Zion Church hopes monthly meetings at churches across the community will clear up and confusion about the law.
Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler reflects, "Dialogue is always extremely important. We know that the location, Ferguson, has come up a number of times and one incident ignited a series of incidents at Ferguson. An asset from that entire equation was the dialogue. It's important to form and build relationships before and outside a moment of crisis. And that's what we're doing here."
Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler says it's about establishing a level of comfort with residents who are skeptical of the police. The monthly meetings will begin in November.
