Pittsburgh chosen to participate in initiative to build police-community relations

Pittsburgh has been selected by the United States Department of Justice as one of six pilot cities to take part in a program intended to build trust between police and the communities they serve.

The program, called the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice, will assess the police-community relationship and develop a plan to enhance procedural justice, reduce bias and support reconciliation where trust has been diminished.

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Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay has been vocal about his desire to improve the police-community relationship in Pittsburgh.

The Leon Ford case is one that has fractured that relationship. Ford was shot and paralyzed while attempting to flee a traffic stop in Stanton Heights. Subsequent protests have demanded that the officer involved be removed from the police force.

"By helping to develop programs that serve their own diverse experiences and environments, these selected cities will serve on the leading edge of our effort to confront pressing issues in communities around the country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.

Channel 11 learned that the new initiative relies on two key components. The first is a brand new online resource at TrustAndJustice.org that uses cutting-edge research and information about best practices and trust-building communities.

The second is training, mentoring and assistance on racial reconciliation to police departments and communities.

“We will continue to work side-by-side with law enforcement to identity opportunities for positive change and work with communities to seek avenues for building more healthy environments," Holder said.

Other cities chosen to participate in the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice are Birmingham, Alabama; Ft. Worth, Texas; Gary, Indiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Stockton, California.

WPXI