In the first official event to take place in the historic and newly renovated Los Angeles Hall of Justice, Sheriff Jim McDonnell led an Interfaith Community Dialogue with religious leaders from across L.A. County. This unique convening, co-hosted by LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck and CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow, brought Los Angeles justice system and community clergy leaders together to consider ways to strengthen law enforcement and community relationships, identify issues of common concern, and fortify the community’s trust in – and understanding of the challenges faced by – the men and women in law enforcement charged with protecting the public.

Two dozen faith leaders representing churches, synagogues and mosques across the region joined Sheriff McDonnell, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow, District Attorney Jackie Lacey, City Attorney Mike Feuer and Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Yonekura for this historic event.

“Law enforcement spends much of its time responding to calls for service, yet these cries for help are often the symptom of deeper, underlying social challenges,” said Sheriff McDonnell.  “We need to work with our faith leaders – who are anchored to the pulse of our community – to address the challenges and root causes of these concerns and to develop smarter strategies that can help us prevent as well as address crime and make our community safer.  Law enforcement must police with and not simply in our community.”

Sheriff McDonnell added: “We are fortunate in Los Angeles to have not experienced the same upheaval seen in other parts of the nation over the past year; that is due in no small part to the strong ties and relationships of trust among community leaders and our justice system partners. But we know we can – and we should – be doing more to fortify these relationships and listening to our community. By coming together today we are building on reservoir of good will we developed over the past few decades.”

“As leaders in law enforcement, we reach toward our goal of a nation revering tolerance, acceptance, justice and the absence of crime,” said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. “We depend upon all of our community partnerships in order to achieve this important goal. This partnership’s success is dependent upon the community of interfaith leadership and together, it is the foundation to the instrumental frame of freedom.”

“We are very fortunate in this community to have law enforcement leadership that recognizes and understands the importance of strengthening community relations” stated Reverend Chip Murray. “This timely event will help us build upon the strong foundations that already exist and enable us to do even more, working together.”

“The CHP is honored to be invited to join with community leaders to take part in this important conversation.  The CHP, like all law enforcement agencies, takes pride in being a part of the communities we serve; and this is where we belong – having an open dialogue with community members and continuing to build these important partnerships,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.  “Keeping neighborhoods safe and enhancing peoples’ quality of life requires the involvement of all of us –  community leaders,  faith-based leaders, law enforcement and other representatives of the rich diverse cultures that define all of us.”