article_snippet: And the point with the most stress is the delicate relationship between police forces and the minority communities that they serve.
article_snippet: The way forward is to engage citizens in the community -- to bring citizens in the community into the room when decisions are being made about policing policies and procedures to make sure that those policies and procedures address the community's real concerns.
article_snippet: And it's about putting law enforcement officers in the community as welcome members of the community -- as guarantors of the safety and security of the people instead of intimidating outside forces.
article_snippet: This approach would benefit both the community and the police.
article_snippet: One of the easiest ways to integrate law enforcement officers into the community is to physically put law enforcement officers on the sidewalks by increasing the number of cops who work good old-fashioned foot beats.
article_snippet: The cop on the beat is not just a quaint notion from old movies, The cop on the beat can be a bridge between police forces and the people they serve.
article_snippet: Another idea is to give cops bicycles, which has brought so many law enforcement officials in touch with other cyclists in the community.
article_snippet: In areas where the gulf between law enforcement and the neighborhood is too wide, mediators can be used to initially bring the two sides together.
article_snippet: After all, the two sides ultimately have the same goal of safe and peaceful neighborhoods.
article_snippet: Both police departments and members of the community can take proactive steps to come together on more than a purely professional level.  
article_snippet: Ultimately, police should be considered members of the community -- a notion that needs to be encouraged by police departments and neighborhoods alike.
article_snippet: Communities can make the local cops part of Communities neighborhood celebrations.
article_snippet: Fear and mistrust among minority communities toward police are the legacy of many decades of racism, unequal treatment, bias, subjective stereotyping and lack of opportunity.
article_snippet: With the right approach, we can begin to change the attitude between the black community and the police from "HandsUpDon'tShoot" to "HandsTogetherInTrust.
highlights_snippet: Relationship between police forces and minority communities must improve .