An America’s Founding and Future Lecture
Following the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others by law enforcement officers, the reform of policing practices and police departments themselves has moved to the front burner of American politics. What are some ways forward that can lead us to positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect? Rev. Eugene F. Rivers, III has been a key player in reforming the Boston Police Department. For many years, that department had a terrible record on racial issues and negative relationships with large segments of Boston’s African-American community. Pastor Rivers, together with other leaders of the historic Black churches and the Catholic Church, worked with city and police officials to dramatically turn things around in Boston. He will discuss the concrete steps and reforms that have made a difference in promoting equal justice under the law.