To conduct productive change to build Greater Trust between communities and the police. Ive often said that police need the community and the Community Needs the police. I would like to start by thanking my cohosts in the forum, representative john conyers is the top ranking democrat on the house Judiciary Committee. Xp h been a tremendous leader for decades just as on criminal justice issues but on a wide variety of Critical Issues that face this country. In fact, we have a portrait of him hiding in our anteroom because he also used to be the chairman of this very committee. Also want to welcome my colleagues representative said richmond o serves as the chair of the congressiol blackcaucus , representative stewart jacksonlee who was the Ranking Member of the subcommittee on crime terrorism Homeland Security and investigation. Representative lawrence was a distinguished member of our Oversight Committee and who is championed so many of the issues that we are going t be talking about today. This daughter that all of them are here today. But what we are going to do is to have our host give a short Opening Statement. We will limit it to just those numbers that i mentioned and then we will ask our panelists so we will be brief because i really want to hear from these gentlemen. Then we will open it up to all members to ask questions and we will see how far we can get by 12 30 and we have promised the players that they can leave. And we appreciate you all taking the time to be here. We are here today to discuss ways to build Greater Trust between police and minority communities. I also want to discuss how former inmates who had done their time and visits to Reenter Society make a meaningful contribution neighborhoods in which they live. Between police and communities they say. We need to insure individuals returning to society, from prison have the tools they need to he rejoin the society. According to naacp, in 2001, one in six africanamerican men live in this country had been incarcerated. Think about that statistic and Ripple Effect it has on families and communities throughout the country. We must work to insure everyone, our fellow citizens, our Law Enforcement officials, everyone treats them with respect and we affordhem opportunities to find gainful employment, get an education, support themselves and their families. I ll soon be reintroducing legislation to give formerlyincarcerated individuals a better chance of getting a federal job. My bill calls it fair chance act, would ban the government from requesting criminal history informion from job applicants until the end of the hiring process. This is also known as band the x. It would help people looking to contribute to chaicommunities and their country. We know for aact that President Trump has worked hard and continues to work to push back on many of the reforms that president obama had put through but we must fight until the death because these are things that are so important to our community. Finally, i know that Ranking Member conyers is also working on Bipartisan Legislation which i will let him describe to provide incentives to help local police insure misconduct is minimized and fully investigated. These issues have been important to me for as long as i have served in the congress and i know the same is true for each of our members who are here today and the entire congressional caucus. I finally like to thank our players, anquan boldin, Malcolm Jenkins for hook us here today, for sharing their stories. Also want to thank, i see hank johnson, congressman hank johnson from from georgia joined us. Thank you for being with us. So i know that all of you are preparing for spring practice, so i truly appreciate you taking up the time from your schedules to be with us today. Also, mr. Boldin, i know you lost a loved one to a Police Encounter and i want to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss. We can not turn a blind eye to these incident. We must bring communities together to seize the moment and restore the sacred trust between Law Enforcement officers and their communities. Dr. Goff, i also want to thank you for being here. Your expertise in the area of police and minority communities will add a great deal to this forum. I appreciate the attendance of all of our panelist, and i look forward to hearing your stories and discussing proposed solutions to these vexing problems. With that i yield to mr. Conyers. Chairman conyers. Thank you, chairman Elijah Cummings and all my colleagues here. I want to particularly pnt out my colleague from detroit, michigan, brenda lawrence, for her fantastic work. She may be a new member to some of you but shes been the mayor of a major suburban detroit city. So she comes in with lots of experience, and as is particularly qualified to be here in this setting. Thank you so much. To the rest of my colleagues, i dont have to say much about the chairman and hank johnson of georgia but let me just make a brief Opening Statement complimenting what chairman cummings has already said. And of course to our particular witnesses, what a pleasure to have them with us always. For the better part of two decades the relationship between africanamerican communities and their Police Departments across the nation have hovered in a state of volatility, waiting a single incident to combust, explode. These tensions have grown as allegations of biasbased policing by la enforcement agencies sometimes supported by Data Collection efforts and video evidence, have increased in number and frequency. While the current wave of National Tension was triggered by the controversial shooting of Michael Brown in ferguson, missouri, on august 9th, 2014, the sensibilities of the nation have also been shocked by other highprofile policeinvolved shootings of more than 30 unarmed africanamerican and latino men. Off all more than 250 africanamerican men were killed in Police Incidents in 2016. Im going repeat that. Overall, more than 250 africanamerican men were killed in Police Incidents in 2016. Against this backdrop these same communities have been ground zero in the socalled war on drugs. There is bipartisan agreement that our nion has a crisis of overincarceration, mass incarceration, with 2. 2 Million People imprisoned in this country. Thats a ratio thats higher than i think any other nation that we know of. One of the main reasons for this catastrophic level of incarceration is the use of mandatory minimum sentencing. Which often imposes sentences that are not appropriate for the facts and culpability of individual cases. Once released, these people face the prison after prison where they chan experience both housing and employment discrimination due to their criminal records. These burdens can be so great that over half are reincarcerated within three years of their release. All of this disproportionately impacts africanamericans and is a major factor impacting the quality of life in our families and communities. It simmers down and spreads out. It is not just individual tragedies. The rise of activism triggered by the Racial Disparities in our criminal Justice System has touched the diverse parts of our communities harking back to the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s, people have taken to the streets to proclaim that black lives matter. And to seek justice for those who have died. Toda were joined by members of the National Football league. What an honor. This is the second hill visit by the National Football league players. We look forward to building further links with Nfl Players Association to raise awareness around our justice agenda. Your presence here is invaluable to us. As we recognize the price that some of your colleagues are paying for their activism, we know note th your appearance here is meaningful and not without risk to your livelihood although it shouldnt be. Ultimately i believe your activism will inspire others to raise their voices for justice. Let no one mistake, or make the mistake of believing that the search for justice in america is anything less than the important act of patriotism. And so i salute you, and i thank the chairman and yield back. Thank you very much, mr. Conyers. Congressman richmond, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus [inaudible]. Thank you, Ranking Member, ely i cant cummings. Elijah let me take a chance to brag a little bit and both malcolm and played for the ne orleans saints. I know jo cobi jones should have been the mvp of that game. To my colleague for detroit. Were play praying for you all. To my colleague from my left from atlanta, i cant say too much. Lit me thank you all for stepping off the field and stepping back into the realife that you all lived before you made it to nfl and before you played it in collegeo get out of your comfort zone but to actually give back and fight for issues that are critical. And we dont see it enough but you all do it in most of our africanamerican male athletes do it. You just dont get the aention for it. You only get the attention for doing the wrong thing. But when youre doing the right thing you dont get as much attention so let me thank you, and let me thank my colleagues for hosting this. Reforming our criminal Justice System is without a doubt the number one civil rights issue of our time. The Racial Disparities and discrimination across the criminal Justice System are undeniable. Africanamericans make up 13 of the United States population but we account for 35 of jailed inmates and 37 of prison inmates. Africanamericans and whites use drugs at similar rates but were significantly more likely to be arrested. Lets think back to when the crack epidemic hit our communities back in the 1980s. The solution was war on drugs that put thousands and thousands of people in jail, particularly africanamerican males. Today were faced with an Opioid Epidemic ravaging all commities and particularly the White Communities but our answer to the opioid addiction, rightfully so is treating it as addiction and a Health Crisis where we are investing in Mental Health and Addiction Services doing all of those things but in the 80s, the answer was just lock everybody up. And i think that as we talk about the Opioid Epidemic we still have to go back and remember that there are a significant number of people that are still doing time for crk cocaine when the sentence disparity was so out of whack. But we need to overhaul the entire Justice System. We need to reform it from end to end. From the way Police Interact with our communities, the communities they serve, to the resources that we provide, the hundreds of thousands of prisoners that are returning to our communities every year. We need to ban racial profiling. We need to invest in our police. Right now we sent understaffed, undertrained, overworked police into communities that have been ravaged by divestment and he neglect and expect them to maintain law and order. We need more resources for Community Oriented policing that puts Law Enforcement and Community Leaders on the same side of the debate so they can somesolve problems together. We need our attorney general to use his power to stamp out diriminatory practicesrom Police Departments and enforce consent decrease that hold police accountable. We need to ban private prisons and correct inmates in the correctional system. They should learn a trade or earn a do he agree so they can make is something of themselves once they get out. Which need to eliminate all demands and barriers prevent people who serve their time, who get trades, to actually perform those trades. In louis, for example, there are 321 professions that you can not do if you are a formerly incars rated. Although you learn how to cut hair, do hair in prison, you cant get a barber or beau tish shuns license because you were formerly incarcerated. We need to invest more resources into programs that help inmates when they return home, like first 72 in new orleans. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, were dedicated to partnering with you and doing everything that we can do to help you. I will just say that we also have to focus on the children of incarcerated people because we incars rated so many africanamerican males, the africanamerican male may be in jail but the family is doing the time. I will just tell you that mark ingram from alabama, plays for new orleans saints, started a nonprofit specifically to deal with children ever incarcerated people. So let me again, thank you all for what youre doing. Were here, the Congressional Black Caucus, were here as willing partners to help you fight what youre doing. Dr. Goff, let me tell you thank you for what youre doing. Were going to partner with you also. Call up on us as were needed. Thank you, mr. Chair. Just to reiterate what our chairman said, dr. Goff, one of the things the chairman has been excellent on, and i applaud him for this, trying to figure out how we can be effective and efficient in whatever we do. And so the expertise that you will bring to it counsels and let us know how to use our energy. You can go in a circle and not get to where you want to go and i know, and all of us in the caucus want toake sure were effective. The chairman has emphasized that. Im hoping that you will continue your efforts even after this hearing to help us out. Sheila jackson lee, congresswoman from texas. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I hope you all can hear me. And thank you to chairman cummings, to chairman conyers, delighted to be able to cohost this with you. He delighted to be here with my colleagues, congresswoman lawrence, congressman richmond and as well congressman johnson who is here. Let me just show you aicture and, probably far away that you can see it. Two little children, three little children. One would ask a question, what they have in common. But im going to ask you, are you a few years older than a preschooler . Raise your hands, witnesses are you a little older than a preschooler . Just a little bit. I dont want our members because they might be way beyond that. But the connection is, and the reason why your testimony is so very important, is that disparate treatment that africanamerican children and children of color begin to get, even as preschools. One might say zero to three. We have just determined by Scientific Research that, children of lor, preschoolers, are more apt to be suspended than any other children. Can we believe that . Does that begin to set a pattern . That youre suspended at the a of two or three or fou or that youre in handcuffs a little 6yearold, where they had to put both hands in one cuff . So what youre doing today is crucial. And as a, as a Ranking Member on the crime subcommittee, i want to focus on this who system upside down system, of juvenile justice. Who better than you to begin to talk about how africanamerican men are treated, how they begin to be treated as boys. How the respect for them does not exist, from Early Education to primary and secondary education. And then the criminal Justice System. Solitary confinement for juveniles. The idea that has been promoted, you make your way, you overcome, and you have to report on your College Application whether you were arrested as a juvenile. Or, rather than find an alternative for you, youre in the juvi, youre in detention, youre in a jail. Then of course the interactions between police and young africanamericans, americans, people who deserve dignity. So in addition to yourresence here today, i want to respond. I dont think one republican should be left out of meritorious legislation that deals with the crisis of mhael brown tamir rice, eric garner, trayvon martin, because it has got to stop now. I have a lot of statistics, i look forward to listening to you, but i want to end on this note. I wanted you to e the picture of these three little children of color and i want you to think about the fact that you are here for them. You are here in your name. On april 4th, will be the 49th commemoration of the assassination of dr. Martin luther king. In his day he was reaching out for civil rights and economic rights and peace against war. But our numbers were comparable, that we were also incarcerated but incarcerated as well and struck down because we wanted more rights for our people. I think that his dream is living through you but ousystem rights is in another context, and we can not cease. And i wl not rest until we get legitimate response to what your testimony will be from the federal level. Legitimate laws that speak as he opposed to mourn what youre saying. So help us pass legislation that deals with the atrocities of locking up preschoolers, obviously education is a lifeline. Theyre in school. And thhorrible system once you get into a juvenile system, that should not be a penalty punitive system but should be a redemtive, restorative system. You are role models. We honor you. Im grateful for you. My door continues to be open and i look forward to working with my colleagues. Thank you very much. Congresswoman lawrence of michigan. I want to thank you so much for being here today. I want to just to put some weight into how important this hearing is, when you have the dean of congress here who is one of those who committed his life to civ rights, when you have an amazing voice and face of equality and a leader in our community, my Ranking Member, here serving today, and then i have my chair of the congressional bl caucus, Cedric Richmond, with us and other members here, im honored to be in their presence but what i want to say is thank you. , thank you for having courage and compassion. Some people say you made it. Just look my life and figure it out but you have taken the time, the compassion, and the courage to use your bully platform to be an agent of change. Every last one of us, you dont need to be a elected to an office. You dont need to be an nfl player. You need someone who cares enough to make a change and use Life Experiences and turn them around to be a positive. There are some statistics out there. 2 3 of young africanamericans and four in 10 hispanics say they are someone who has experienced violence or harrassment at the hands of police. 2 3 of africanamericans. Im a mother of a son and did i have that conversation with him, about how to conduct himself . He grew up in a suburb of detroit and detroiis our home. Were there all the time and driving around in suburban communities, you know, make sure, i dont want you driving in a car with a whole lot of your boys because if it is more than two of you in a car you might be subjected to being pulled over. Make sure you say yes, sir. Make sure you keep your hands where they can see. As soon as you can call me. Dont argue. I had that fear raising my son. I also have the distinction of being a mayor. Having a Police Department and a police chief that i was responsible for and through and through me, responsible for my community. I mandated Community Policing, when i got the complaint, it was immediate response. It wasnt like, ah, theyre overreacting. I know that its a culture that you cant expect in a Police Department. You have to manage that and set Community Policing and training and diversity awareness continuously, not just when theyre hired but it should be ongoing. So today i look forward to hearing, hearing your testimony and your comment. Sheila jackson lee is one mh my officers in congress and she leads by example as a woman who has been a member of congress for many years but never letting go of her responsibility of creating awareness. You know, right now were in the minority and so our job here in congress is to never let issues of injustice to lie dormant or silent because, as Martin Luther king told us, the crime sometimes of being silent is greater than the actual action. Im here with my colleague hank johnson who has again, a person from a Southern State who has, has his history as wl. The one thing i do want to say in closing, please know that you have, were here today because you have our commitment to work with you. We thank you for stepping up. We have a lot of work to do. And, to say in america, if im an africanamerican, if im a minority, that i automatically assume and prepare myself to be treated differently is unacceptable. Its unacceptable and im here today to make sure that we can continue to use all of our passion, all of the power that you see assembled here to make a difference. Thank you, and i yield back, sir. Thank you very much. I understand mr. Johnson does not have a statement. So oh. I will say at this time that, this issue of relations between the police and africanamericans is sometng that we as africanamericans have to live with every day. Ill tell you that back, back 1st of march i was out at Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center going into the gate and, i had my suit on, gray hair, rushing for an appointment, looking distinguished and everything as i always do and, had a little incident at the gate with a guy, probably about 23 years old. Hot firecracker in terms of how he wanted to talk to me and how he approached me in a threatening way, in a threatening voice, and if ts guy had been a civilian, because he was a military mp, but if he had been a civilia if it had been under other circumstances liket was dark, and we were somewhere off by ourselves, and he had the gun, and i did not, itould have been an explosive situation. And so something that even i as a congressman, you know, going to a military facility, have to deal with, and so as a followup to that, even trying to get it resolved, by higher ups, still dont have a resolution as of yet. So we had to go extra to make sure that we protect ourselves from these threats that are always looming out there. With that i yield back. Thank you very much. Weve been joined by congressman lacy clay of missouri. Its my understanding he does not have a statement so we will move on to our panelists. And we would ask you to summarize your statements and about five minutes. But if you have to go longer please do. I want to try to make sure we have enough time for question because again trying to be effective and efficient. We will start with you, mr. Jenkins. There is a mic with a little the ego. Thank you, representative Elijah Cummings and mr. Conyers for having us, giving us this time to share and speak. Its an honor for us. I created a foundation started working in communities, underserved communities that i lived in or played ball in in 2010. And as of right now were in four different states. New jersey where i am from, ohio i went to the ohio state university, new orleans where i won the super bowl with the saints and now in philadelphia pennsylvania where i play with the eagles. Its been very, very important for me to get back to these communities especially these Underserved Community because i see the impact and he had experiences along my way that ive gotten to where i am. We do things, an array of different programs be stem scholarships, mentoring, and we understand impact of those type of programs have. But the programs as many as we do, do not change environment which are you go back to. They still go back to poor neighborhoods. They go back to crimeridden neighborhoods and communities that are broken. And so at the height of last summer when you had that shooting of Philando Castile i took it upon myself to get involved an in what i wanted too is start with the places that i was at pics of myself and a few teammates and communities sat down with philly pd and we had a frank conversation just about how we can reconcile this relationship between our communities and our Law Enforcement, which led to myself doing a ride along with the police to get a look into their world. Thatsne thing i dont understand. I understand being a black man, i live it every day but im not a Police Officer. To get a better understanding we wanted to have this conversation and have that dialogue to have a real conversation. And what came out of that was an opportunity. We realized that Police Brutality and the relationship and where we are is really a symptom of bigger systems, loss and policies that are in place that allow for brutality or mistreatment to happen. Theres our criminal Justice System and the long documented disparities in which it affect the African American communities and communities of color, far greater than anybody else. And how that is created a cycle that is created mistrust, frustration in these communities. And how our police force on the frontline of that Justice System. And so sometimes its impossible for us to mend this relationship when the system behind you leads to mistrust. And theres no transparency. So with that in mind, i began to look at and flamingo, specificly pennsylvania and what was going on with our Justice System and what i learned is that pennsylvania by far leads the nation in incarceration, or given juveniles like sentences without parole. And i went to the prisoners sat down with the group appraisers just to talk and hear some other thoughts and frustrations. And for out of these six men were juvenile lifers, all of which have been incarcerated longer than ive been alive. When went in at 14, in 1987, and still incarcerated. In pennsylvania, they are automatically tried for adults for a carjacking, kidnapping, not the committed the crime themselves, even if theyre just accomplices. Make it tried as adults. And from an economic standpoint we spend about 42,000 per inmate per year in pennsylvania. And so you look at the system, its flawed and everyone knows it is flawed. And so you look at the federal system as a guideline to set the trajectory of where we want the states to go. Our federal system, 50 of people that are there for nonviolent drug offenses. And that uses a mandatory minimums and now that is cratered a pipeline for people to be incarcerated. And in those 50 , the overwhelming evidence that shows that the majority of those are from africanamerican and brown mmunities. Then we look at the recidivism rate, and a long list of things that hinder you want to do surgery time and pay your debt to society, how we expect these men and women to come out of our system and be productive citizens that get back and raise the value of their community, but we dont give them opportunities to vote in some states. We dont give them opportunities to get jobs. We discriminate against them and they served time long after they are released back into our neighborhoods. And within three years, twothirds of those people released will be back or will be arrested. These are things that need to change. Over the last two days, three days i should say, i solve and and kuan on her second trip back to a able to meet with republicans, democrats on both sides. But we heard was theres been bipartisan effort to attack a criminal Justice Reform that has been support. As our question as concerned citizens, if theyre so much support, if everyone agrees and knows the statistics about how our Justice System is not giving justice, and were just holding them back. And that question has been answered with the lack of priority. And so were here to use our leverage, our voices to make sure that our families, our communities, our kids are a priority to the people here on capitol hill, to this administration and to the rest of this nation. Because its costing us money. We spent 80 billion a year locking all the citizens. We lead the entire world in incarceration. And it is ruining lives. And in all of that you still, it creates doubt and mistrust in our Justice System. When you erode our Justice System, that trickles down to every other behind that. Pic so theres no way to instill trust or build a relationship between our police went our police are the frontline of a broken system. Weve seen bills and legislation be brought forth, but not pushed through. So what we encourage is, we challenge is to reintroduce him all the Bipartisan Legislation that addressed these things and not sleep until these things get accolished. I appreciate the time, allowing me to share. That is all. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anquan boldin. Ranking member cummings, Ranking Member conyers, representative jackson lee, congressional blk caucus chairman richmond, congressman clay, congresswoman lawrence, and congressman johnson, i would like to say thank you for inviting me to this forum today. I believe that the issues we discuss here are critically important to the communities across our country. I also believe that they can be solved. These issues which include Building Trust between police and communities, ending the era of mass incarceration and promoting the successful reentry of the formerly incarcerated into communities are a vital component of criminal Justice Reform that benefits from consistent broad bipartisan but these issues are also consistently pushed to the political background. I believe that working together we cannot only move it to the political forefront, but we can make measurable, meaningful and sustainable change in our communities. I want you to understand the criminal Justice Reform in particular, police and community relations, is an issue that i come to very personally. In october 2015 my cousin corey jones was driving home from a show with his band. I read 2 a. M. His car broke down on the side of the highway. While he was waiting for help, a cargo van pulled up. Not a police car, a van pulled up. I want to emphasize two important points. First, it was a white van, not a police car. Second, the man two stepped out of that van, officer rogers, was not wearing a uniform. He was wearing blue jeans, sneakers, a camp tshirt and a baseball hat. My cousin had no way of knowing that he was doing what a Police Officer dealing with. Moments later, corey was dead. The official report from the States Attorney Office said that mr. Rogers fired six shots. His final three shots were fired more deliberately, according t the report. Oneshot every three seconds. Corey was a good kid. His granddaddy and my granddad is brothers and i know him i held life. Never been a kid to get any kind of trouble. And beside you can fight in the church playing the drums, but his faith couldnt keep him alive. How do you go for a spin all of your sunda playing the drums in church, working hard to support your family, and waiting for help on the side of the road to being dead . For me it doesnt add up. I wish i can tell you his story was unique. I wish i can tell you that now over a year later we know exactly what happened and that the issue was resolved. I wish i can tell you corey didnt die in the first place. As a matter fact, i wish i wasnt there talking to you at all. But i am. One of the hardest part of this holy spirit has been a lack of understanding out what happened, why it happened and what has happened in the legal process. The lack of transparency is only hurting any trust between the police and the community where im from and it is a problem facing so many other communities. The community i come from wants and needs to know that they are being heard. We want to make sure that you come that those in position to bring positive change understand the things that we as an Africanamerican Community are going through. We certainly did not feel that we are being heard right now especially when it comes to Law Enforcement and the way we are being policed. Our neighborhoods are feeling hurt, and they want to be changed. This is where you come in. We want to be changes in policy in terms of how we train and support our police. And we also want to see accountability. We want to know that justice will be served for all come to make sure that that relationship between the Africanamerican Community and police can be better. This is work to be done on both sides because theres a huge gap of mistrust. Im here today because i want to help close that gap. The federal government has an Important Role to play here, given approximately 4 billion in criminal justice grants to provide states, localities and Law Enforcement, and the federal government oversight responsibilities. Specifically im here to ask support on two key issues. First, we need the Judiciary Committee to convene hearings on criminal Justice Reform. The issue has consistently received bipartisan support over the past several years on legislation like the reauthorization of the Second Chance act, a fair chance act, and Law Enforcement trust and integrity act. Legislation like the Law Enforcement trust and integrity act takes a conference of approach addressing Police Accountability and Building Trust between Police Departments and their communities. The legislation provides incentives for local police, organizations to voluntarily adopt performancebased standards. These standards would ensure that the number of incidents of misconduct will be minimalize and that any incidents that you happen like in the case of my cousin corey, will be promptly investigated. The legislation encourages Police Departments to pursue accreditation, best practices, training and other resources that will promote fair and just policing the legislation also requires mandatory Data Collection and reporting on Police Community encounters. Certainly we cannot fix the problem that we cannot measure, so data is critical here. These policies would decrease incidence of Police Misconduct and for sure that when do happen, like in the case of my cousin, they will be promptly investigated. These important pieces of legislation also ensure that Police Officers, the vast majority of whom are caring, committed and compassion individuals dedicated to the communities they serve, are given the tools necessary to do their jobs well. There are several members of my family in Law Enforcement, and over the years ive gotten to know many more who are role models for their profession and the community. We need to make sure that these tremendous individuals are supported and equipped to perform to the best of their abilities. Secondly, federal resources like Community Oriented policing services, better known as cops, must be preserved. In recent years the cops office has done so much to build bridges and restore hope in our communities are the programs of elimination for any significant reduction of it will be an enormous step backwards for police and community relations. The program is funded by the c. O. P. S. Office at critical to saving Police Officer lives in protecting our communities. The c. O. P. S. Program that specific support committee policing efforts and that are geared towards high intrinsic unity Police Officers are seeing results. Communities that receive these ants are seeing measurable reductions in crime, and arrest rates. Though are harder to measure and increased interest. Police supported by cops programs are getting out of the vehicles, leading their communities and building a real relationship that make a longterm difference. These are exactly the kind of programs that can make a difference, which you can help move forward and that you can help us leave a legacy that we will all be proud of. I came to washington november of last year to learn about what is being done. To support a criminal Justice Reform, and more importantly what will i could play to support reform efforts. Im here again today to continue this work and let you know i am committed to using my voice and my platform to do whatever i can to help improve our neighborhoods for police and the communities that they live in. Thank you for your time and your commitment to these issues. Thank you very much. Dr. Goff. Good morning. Good afternoon. Chairman cummings, congressman conyers, congresswoman jackson lee, congressman richmond, congressman clay, congresswoman lawrence, huntsman johnson, mr. Bolden, mr. Jenkins and to everyone who is chosen to spend time today on this incredibly important issue, thank you for inviting me. I am honored to be the nerd in the room. Before i begin my formal part of my remarks i feel compelled to mention that i was born in the greatest city in the history of the world, philadelphia of course that im a lifelong link of eagles nation. Family of the greatest nfl franchise history of sport. Fly eagles lie. Thank you, mr. Jenkins. All right. I dont appreciate all that laughter but we will move forward. Today im here in my capacity as a Research Scientist and as the president of the center for policing equity. In that capacity i dedicated the majority of my adult life using social science in the pursuit of a more democratic society. But before other Research Scientist i was black. In fact, iv blae been my entire life with the possible exception of the week i took off in college. And so im here because of signs but also armed with exploit exck road two black men and boys ran the country. The lies told about black men and boys, the myths about our intellect, our loyalty and our temperaments, those are part of the reason we are here today. And i like so many others have worked my entire life to become evidence of the truth even in the face of those lies they tell about me and boys who look like me. Its in that spirit of truth telling and ms. Busting that i as a scientist and as a black man would like to briefly share three myths currently holding us back from achieving racial progress in policing. The first myth is we cannot move forward because there are no National Level data on policing. First, it is true no federal agency currently collects National Level data in what Police Officers do in the street on Police Behavior despite collecting data on crimes that civilians commit. And its also too without measuring a problem, often your impossible to craft a solution to it. But its something not the case because federal government does not collect the data that no one has done. Many Police Departments collect the data themselves and the center for policing equity that i run those the National Justice database combinations first and largest database of Police Officer behavior. We both commitment some Police Department serving roughly onethird of the United States by population. The National Justice database collection standardizes data, standardizes data on police stops computer supports and offers racial orientations. We collect information through surveys on Police Officer explicit and implicit bias. This effort which was slow going when we first got started more than five years ago has recently been bolstered by partnership with google. This will soon allow us to reduce the time between that chief decision to participate in the database and the chief receive our analysis of Racial Disparities which basically says this is where the responsibility is for the Racial Disparities. Need you to take a months. We will be very closer to a timeframe that looks like six minutes. In other words where a prop rapidly approaching where there was not a excuse for departments not knowing. Its call him if that holds us back from achieving progress. The second myth i want to address is too often repeated claim that crime drives all Police Behavior and, therefore, crime explains Racial Disparities and policing outcomes. Let me say this as plain as i possibly can. That is factually inaccurate. It is not true. Do not believe it. While crime plays a large role in explaining Racial Disparity commits not sufficient to explain the rate. That is a scientific fact. These findings are robustly on the set of policin placing equif report of this past summer and represent the best site on these phenomenon across jurisdictions and time periods. What this means is we should be skeptical of those who blame community alone for how they are treated. And let me say this plane is look at it means attacking crime without addressing Police Culture will not fix the problem. The third mythological is is the inverse of the last pic that is, just as god does not explain Racial Disparities, policing is not the only cause either. Heres what i mean. If we imagine if theres racial discussion going on in policing, i would be before senator manchin theres not disparities and dissemination in employment, in housing, and education, and healthcare outcomes . All of those disparities come all that discoloration happens upstream of the individual contact with Law Enforcement. That is to say if we see race despairs in policing they may be a symptom of a broader case of racial discrimination. Let me frame it another way. There is no chief who would last very long in her or his job and every time someone called 911 they heard no, you are probably just racist, we are not coming. That doesnt make sense. In other words, the biases will necessarily be reflected in the behavior of their police. When the laws of this land are racist it is the job of police to enforce them. I hear from Law Enforcement who do not like that part of their job. They are crying out for us to save them from the laws they are forced to enforce that means the responsibly for the damage we see done by policing and some communities cannot belong solely to Law Enforcement. The responsibility must be claimed by all of us. We own this. As a democracy, as a nation, if it continues because we allow it, we now have the capacity to collect standardized and analyze data which disability which is possible is for disparities between police and the rest of us. Those upstream factors. Armed with an ultrathin International Initiative for Building Committee trust which is a project led by the senate policing equity, a National Network for safety mirrors, the urban institute in collaboration with this u. S. Department of justice we also know there are interventions that simultaneously improve officer safety, reduce crime and increase community trust. We know what the science says that we have to have faith that the truth of the science and justice are the same thing. In other words, there are no excuses for not getting better. No amount of the investment or this interest in reform removes the ultimate responsibility from the people of this nation. And now lies we tell about police, black and brown income women and children, the lies we tell about america make them the truth. Inequality in policing is a fixable problem, requires wit at our collective will to what sites has taught us. That we add our resolve to the truth. Thank you for your time. Thank you. We will go to questions now. Mr. Conyers. I reminded members that the gentleman will be leaving at 12 30, so in courtesy to other members, ask you to be brief. Thank you. Im going to combine my questions so that we will expedite this process. Thank you all for your excellent testimony. I want to ask these questions and you can take a piece of it, any of you, that have an initial response. Ive got president bush supported the end racial profiling act and get Data Collection. How can we encourage our current president to take this step . I mean, this is not an academic exercise we are in here today. The question is, what are five members going to take back to our caucuses, to the Congressional Black Caucus, qr house Judiciary Committee . Id like you to think about this. This is, what do we do about this part of our coming together today . And thank you again for your excellent testimony. Dr. Goff. Thank you for your question. If someone comes to you and says that they have a problem with money, you might ask them well, what does your budget say asked if they say they dont have one then theyre not taking the question seriously. If someone comes to my classroom insist on having a a problem in your class, inot sure when you get the grade i want, i say tell me where you are struggling in the syllabus. I dont have a syllabus. You are not taking it seriously. We have an issue where we are calling for greater law and order, quite a public trust and better public safety, but we are not measuring what happens but were not taking the problem seriously. I think one of the undercovered angles of the issue of criminal Justice Reform, particularly in policing is that this can be a good new story about race in america which we know are too few and far between. Thats because black communities, brown committees want trust. At the center for policing equity we werent close with Law Enforcement. The National Justice database is in fact, a response to what Law Enforcement has asked for because they want to know whats going on. They dont have the capacity to do the Data Analysis a professional nurse do. So they asked us to do it for them. Im not in position to speak for President Donald Trump but in a position to speak with many governors and attorneys general of states and i can say that its very straightforward for governor or an attorney general to say we will collect the data, encourage and support Law Enforcement for doing it and it would be a good news story in the came from the federal government as well. We now have the infrastructure necessary to save time and money. Center for policing equity charges nothing. If those of you have seen me before can you recognize the stupid its the same one i wear every time i come in. We dont draw a salary from this. Its possible to get it done. Its common sense. The people who are concerned about Law Enforcement, the people who support Law Enforcement all want to. The question is why is the will not there . That would be the question i might put in your pocket to ask if you ever have the opportunity. Thank you. I just want to ask another question, and i want our other panelists to join in. This is my last one. What is noble about the National Organization of black executiv executives, Law Enforcement, National Organization of black executives, Law Enforcement . Tell me how we can coordinate with them and where we may go from here. And all three of you can participate if you want. If you know. Coin flip over here came to me. So noble is a wonderful organization. They organize many of the captains chiefs and lieutenants and Law Enforcement around the country. One way the Congressional Black Caucus, congress and the entire federal government can be partnering with them, is to come together with comments and statements about what we know works. For instance, when we are cracking down on communities, not individuals, not criminals but communities, it drives crime undergrad and ask all of us less safe, makes people less willing to work with Law Enforcement and it endangers members of that community. Chiefs dont want to do that. Chiefs have a harder time coming for then it organization like noble might. So getting the common sense out in the public rerd is a wonderful way to work with noble. I wouldnt speak on behalf of of them but i would encourage you all to work with them. Thank you. I want you to Cedric Richmond come if he has a comment about this. I know hes deeply involved spear noble does have principles of policing. In fact, the caucus will be speaking with them i believe next weekend. Community policing group that Sheila Jackson lee and i are both a part of, weve met with noble and we talked lawenforcement alderman to contribute and i will say, and i dont remember if it was antoine or malcolm who brought up cops and funding of those grants. Thats one of the things that i think we all agree on republican and democrat, black and white. When you talk about Second Chance and and those complicit issues that specifically came up last wednesday when we met with the president. We challenged him to get out of his comfort zone and to engage on those issues and were going to follow up with the Vice President on those issues. Because one, weve passed the point of the law of diminishing returns. Every dollar we spend on incarceration now makes our communities less safe because its money that could go to recreation, afterschool programs. Let me just commit, and mr. Chairman, i have to leave but i want to make a couple of offers. First of all, first office to dr. Goff. I would like the caucus to partner with you so that i believe that your data, our voice, nobles expertise can we could come together from all the policy points to issue some commonly agreedupon principles that are really common sense, but we have to highlight. And to mr. Bolden and mr. Jenkins, we will as a caucus continue to do what weve been doing and we are in the same space and we are pushing for comprehensive criminal Justice Reform. We want it to be aggressive for mandatory minimums, to giving juvenile lifers an opportunity at parole one day. And the fights that you all have engaged on, some of us have been fighting for whole life. I remember going to angola state penitentiary in louisiana. Because we had guys serving life for heroin from the first offense, and they were older. They had served more time in jail that ive been on earth. It took us four and half years but all of those guys are home now. So we are committed to doing it. The legacy of the people you see up here is a legacy of hard work to change it. So to the extent that we both can elevate our voice together, i think we should do that. And behind you is someone who works for a paper who can write pic and i think that we should take the opportunity to do our best and other things together to raise, not our communities awareness of it, but the countries awareness of it and create the environment where it has to be done. So thats what you all have started today, let us help you get it across the finish line. Thanks, mr. Chairman. Thank you. Let me just say that im going to come to you in a minute. I want to go back to you, dr. Goff. In baltimore we just had the patterns and practice. Something i fought hard for, the investigation of my doj. And it was said in there, something that jumped out at me. It said that over the course of four or five years you had 300,00300,000 pedestrian stops. Instead of the 300,000 pedestrian stops, less than 4 ended in an arrest or a citation. Now, when i talked to the police, they said, congressman, it wasnt 300,000 stops. It was probably like 1. 7 million. Baltimore isnt so big. Which means that, that number, in other words, the 4 of 300,000, that number stays the same. And i thought about what you said when you talked about criminal activity, about this myth. So that doesnt come what i just said, it doesnt surprise you. I cant hear you. No. Not at all. We been working in baltimore. Excited to share some of the things we found, but it doesnt surprise me in baltimore. It doesnt surprise me in many major cities around the country at the numbers of pedestrian stops are underreported and return of contraband and arrests is very, very low. What advice would you have for us, one of the concerns we had and it sure a lot of other cities have ten concerns. When you went from a holder Holder Lynch Justice Department to the Jeff SessionsJustice Department and idea that we know how sessions deals, feels about Consent Decrees, i mean, what advice would you have for us as a caucus. Trying to stay in the center of the site and avoid politics as i can, the nerd sweet spot if you will, let me tell you about what we do in baltimore and how we think they can be a model fr how we move forward. In baltimore we just parted with the open Society Institute of baltimore to conduct a resident survey. Heres why thats so important. Community voices have never been counted as with think about the performance of Law Enforcement. They have never been part of the accountability metrics we set up for Police Departments. So instead what we looking at is whether not crying is going up or down as if that should be the sole purview of police. If crime goes up or goes down a small amount, at the cost of community trust, heres the secret of the police chief knows that its really not wanting to sound camera. Crime is on the what people feel comfortable about calling the police better crime can be going at the people might not be calling. If we start measuring community trust, cooperation and literally the amount of times people see a legal behavior but refused to cooperate with Law Enforcement can refuse to call it in. I currently live in new york and their posters everywhere see something, say something. If we can measure that we have the capacity to refrain the conversation about how police are working. Heres one of the piece i want to give everybody. Weve been talking a lot and order. As if thats the solution to problems where we have crime. Ive said all bit about that but the thing i have a set is how we need to reframe it. We need a century we care about vulnerable, these are the voices but when you ask victims how i feel about the Justice System, you are three things i want you to take away. One, by a 15 to one margin paper for investment in schools and harsher punishment. My attend when market they prefer investment in jobs. And by three to one margin, people who themselves up and ben victimized even sometimes by violent crime, by a three to one margin they for the person who victimized them not have to go to jail. If thats the way victims of crime are thinking about Law Enforcement and enforcement generally, what right doe did rt of us have the use harsher punishment as solution to their problems . What we dont think about is the victims lived in the community isweetie such are the neighbors. I give that back to you as a way to think about how we push forward even if Consent Decrees are off the table for policing. Thank you again. I just wanted to highlight, as we talked about the uptick or the disproportionate amount of imprisonment in the Africanamerican Community, i want to always make sure we include the female population, africanamerican population, that are being in prison. When you imprison a woman you usually imprison the life of the children who are incarcerated as well. The last point i want to make him a job piece is so critical. In michigan we have started a virtual Welding Program for those who are going to be paroled, to teach them the skill or a trade. Its very concerning to me, and doctor, i heard you clearly. And mr. Boldin, what is your priority . And to me thats the key. We can talk all we want but if your priority is not driving your actions, then your words mean nothing. So if you tell me criminal Justice Reform is a priority, but yet you still dont legislate it, you dont find it, then your words are not truthful. And im very concerned about that. I get i just want to thank you. We have to continue to understand that we have to address the issue of women, an increasing number of africanamerican women being imprisoned. And we must find Second Chance programs, you know, look at banning the box. All those things that we need to do to ensure that if i made a mistake, if i did something wrong, if i as a young person made a decision that was not the best, or i just didnt know that, i was hungry or i needed so i committed a crime. But in society and in america we believe that you can be rehabilitated, then your loss and your funding should reflect that. So thank you again, lets stay on the battlefield. We will make a difference in our lifetime. Thank you. Let me ask thiseal quick. Thank you, ms. Lawrence. In baltimore, when we had our disturbances, and mr. Jenkins caused me to think about this. One of the things that i spent a lot of time doing is talking to the police. And because i found that the police a lot of times did not, i mean, i felt like like an interpreter for the brothers that live in my neighborhood. And we were able to avoid a lot of violence. What mr. Jenkins said that he did the writer met and that kind of thing, going back to efficiency. These gentlemen want to be helpful, and i know that police look at them as he rose and great sports players and great citizens heroes and how much it back and they police . Do you follow me . In other words, i know you got several methods. Im trying to figure out how to take their desire and make it most effective and efficient, to change things. So there are so many things that need doing in policing right now, that frankly pick one and run with it, is the first attribute i do you want to talk about to influence Law Enforcement, Law Enforcement responds when youre making their jobs easier, very well. And there are lots of ways to make their job easier. You talk with the commissioner and this is going to we were working with them when we first got into baltimore. Theres a culture of Law Enforcement that does not communicate frequently. What the reason is to communities. If youve got a stop, white hassling me . The most common response is because thats my job. As opposed to get a what . Theres been three robberies in this general area. Im stopping just have a conversation like it and of the folks in that area. Thats a much happier conversation if youre able to explain. One of the roles that ive seen folks who have earned their spot in, the position in the spotlight do is act as translator. Ive watched both of you do that in your hometowns. Mr. Jenkins, ive watched you do that in philadelphia. Mr. Boldin, ive seen you do that in cities that are not as good as philadelphia. But the strength comes from my perspective and watch this and dennis and Police Departments, but the strength comes with a key medication, that translation in both directions. I will say as often as you see vulnerable communities with Law Enforcement having a heavy presence, you can, i like to see democrats, integration is a first requirement for segregation did you have to show up to be able to ignore each other and not listen to reaching that gap, and small and i a shot as it might be is a powerful thing for people who are used to figuring out how to get teams of disparate folks to Work Together. I do like to be very touchyfeely because on a broad data guy, a data nerd, but thats a powerful folks can have, you can have an local communities but but i would dot to see increasingly they cant outcast everybody. If folks are willing to speak up and parted with the folks were doing the data work, you dont want to see the football field. You really dont. But i can be useful in that way and they can be useful to us. So forging partnerships that would be the way i would suggest. Ms. Jackson lee. Thank you very much , mr. Chairman. This is a powerful panel. I guess the only sense of remorse about a have used to hear the two gentlemen who were here in november of 2016. But let me be very clear. There is a deep and abiding passion to answer your concern. Dr. Goff, let me just say that science data is the heartbeat of the police reform. It is the heartbeat of stopping what has happened to my good brothers cousin. Or to tamir rice, trade on, despite the fact that it was maybe not a police but it was somebody operating under the color of law which i continue to insist that he had violated civil rights. And all the others. So i would like to ask, and i thank you for this testimony. I think one of the important, what is most important thing we need to get done, and what you think by chairman, for so i want to thank mr. Cummings. We all collaborate together. We all Work Together on banned the box and i think you cited my bill a fair chance which with juveniles, a horrible news around the neck, if it had a juvenile offense and they cant move forward. But going to ask you all this question about Police Committee relations. This is what i have grappled with each tragedy that has occurred and we just cant seem to get to a point besides maybe local activity, the actions of elisha Elijah Cummings we had these tragedies. And some other members in other Community Individuals wouldnt have been hotspots. I produce and butter want to thank my dean, congressman conyers who envisioned this idea lets stop talking, lets talk a law trust and integrity act. Lets not be offensive. Lets try to find common ground. One of the elements of the bill is mandatory collection and data. And i want to probably think te nfl. I did all of you to rise up on that issue. Because the obstacles are people who feel put upon, and committed. Youre going to collect data on me. Law enforcement, there are 18,000 Police Departments across america. And dr. Goff is just told us its not difficult. Its not punishment to know the truth. To collect that data so that we can write the right kind of law that will help change your heart. Dr. King said i ca cant do anything about arts. I cant make you not be a segregationist in your heart but i can sure have the law to be able to tell you its against the law. So my question is, two points, Law Enforcement trust and integrity good. Im really, we really need to try that bill into passage. At i must say that the republicans and democrats that i think we can bring forward with because when to do it, im not going to be concerned about whos in the white house. We tried this in the United States congress and elements come forward in the bill will have to be signed. I dont know who may be there to sign it. But the idea of the elements of the bill, all three of you can answer, are everyone gets a credit, meaning the police. In that accreditation it is teaching concepts of deescalation on that dark night. What was all the shots being fired . What was the reason . Why didnt it meet his consciousness . Im in a white van and im not in uniform. Its dark. Deescalation and then this concept of guardian versus warrior. Police are guardians of the committee, thats why 911 isnt there. Call help. You are not going, and wanted to go home to the families. So the idea behind that bill is to be a respectful for the question of Law Enforcement, and then as well be able to deal with what we are. We are not isis. Even games with kids in it, horrible, but they are not. What can we do to make this really about relations . One small question under this, as president obama was working in the midst of all these police shooting, many of you know there was the Police Committee came up with the big report but one of the most important elements was Consent Decrees that we use i think in baltimore, and ive heard Baltimore Ravens say thank you, we are working with it. Helpful, ferguson, Consent Decree. Well, we have an attorney general that has suggested that Consent Decree to go in and help the police do better. Not break them up. Do better. I do but needs the teacher to just help them do better. Im not going to do that, or that said something i want to do. Do you understand . So were missing, we need to be able to say were all in this together. So dr. Goff, your thoughts just about those points. If mr. Jenkins, and im sorry, mr. Boldin, i wanted to call you and quan, but mr. Boldin, if all three witches antithetic i thank you so much. Want to be part of helping on the Judiciary Committee with the leadership of john conyers and im on the prime subcommittee working with chairman richmond and authorware going to do something before going to do something. I just need to hear from you. Dr. Goff, do you want to go first quickly . Then i yield. Be mindful everybodys time. So the idea of mandatory accreditation and deescalation, theres good scientific merit for that. You cant manage the problem you cant measure is what always been a of Data Collection, whether it be done in public or whether be done by private researchers first as an entry point for it. Doesnt matter for us. We are in favor of more data. One thing i like to bring everyones attention to, every Police Department has 12 certification from an academy. The academy is certified by a state agency. Usually a state post. Police officers standard entry. Theres only 38 of those in the country. That means there are 12 states without a centralized state post. Dont know what the heck that is about. Im one of the world expert on this. I cant tell you very much about why that is set up that way but i can tell you most state posts have not been politicized. Theres good reasons for that, but they also have been brought into this conversation because thats where the rubber meets the road. Thats what the standards are set up to do. It is to address the state poster i would encourage encourage we have more conversation about how to include those in this broader criminal Justice Reform. The federal government does not control over those but the governors and attorneys general if you want to participate, if you want to do right, then the federal government might decide it wants to play a role and thats how you go about getting accreditation. The other gentlemen, please. I think its very important for us to humanize both sides. Especially at our conversations we communicate with our committees and our Law Enforcement. Its important. We all would agree that we need our Law Enforcement. They have an important job. They have a tough job. But accountability is not here as an indictment but more here as a tool for you to do your job easier, make a job easier and do it better. Also to humanize these communities that although they might be filled with crime, they might be dealing with all sorts of issues that there are real people with real families in real consequences that lived there. And they just as much as you dont want communities of crime. They want to be safe in their own homes. And these type of conversations need to be collaborative in their spirit, and making sure that old voices have a place at the table. Thats what i seem to be most effective. Those dont always have to be conversations that agree. I think everybody wants to better the relationship, the communication, but thats going to come with respect for dialogue. Mr. Boldin . Thank you very much, mr. Jenkins. I would have to agree with both of these gentlemen. I think anytime you can have a Police Department that is accredited, i think it gives that community a sense of security. I know in the nfl we do a great job of screening guys because we only want the best in the league. And if youre not the best you are not afforded the opportunity to wear the shield on you. I think it should be the same way in a Police Department. I think we can all agree that everybody, and thats unfortunate. Because these are the people that are there to protect and serve in our communities. And thats another thing. There are a lot of Police Officers that are not involved in the communities that they are serving in come are supposed to be serving in. So i have this crazy theory that if i know you, i a lot more likely to treat you a lot better than if i dont. So if i have a relationship with you, with that relationship im not going to be so quick to lock you up. Mr. Boldin, in baltimore we have a situation where, i forget the percentage, but pretty High Percentage of the Police Officers dont live in the city. And many of them have never been spending any time in a black neighborhood before they become Police Officers. So therefore, what they know is what they see on the 6 00 news. And when i recently met with, this is sort of an assignment is the same situation, met with President Donald Trump, one of the things i said to them is to talk about the black community, dont talk about, i mean, act like we in some foxholes. All of us doing real bad. I said id appreciate it if you wouldnt do that. Because its hurtful. But if all you know is the 6 00 news, i mean, thats a real, that is a problem. Our mayor mandated and the police chief have mandated, you probably know this, dr. Goff, that did take some cultural training so they can meet people who worked 45 years in the same job, never missed an hour, made meetings every wednesday, you know . You never met nobody like that. Never been arrested in his life. So that sensitivity i think youre right, its important that they be at least familiar. And in the sad part about it, a lot of times folks dont know what they dont know. Which is a dangerous. Mr. Clay. Thank you so much for conducting this hearing, to my colleagues come into the witnesses for being here. Mr. Boldin, a couple years back i went through a similar situation, as your family, it wasnt my stomach but it was the area that i represent, ferguson missouri when Michael Brown lost his life. And it tore that community apart. And so my heart goes out to you and your family. Out of the ferguson unrest was a 120. Consent decree agreed to by the city of ferguson in the u. S. Department of justice. So we as a black caucus have two remain vigilant on who leads a a department. But i have a lot of confidence in the career people at the u. S. Department of justice youre in the civil rights division, who are in the other division. And are very to enforce the law. Let me also, for the record, i mean, because we push for the Consent Decree in fguson, i was characterized and others were characterized as being antipolice, and that they could be further from the truth, as you stated earlier. I have relatives who are Police Officers also. And so, and every Community Wants good policing. We want to be protected and we want to be served by a good police force. So let me just put on the record so that no one mischaracterizes, so the press or anyone else does it leave your saying this was a chance to beat up on police. Let me start with mr. Jenkins. Are you antipolice . No i am not antipolice. Thank you. Mr. Boldin, are you antipolice . For me to be at the police would mean that i dont like people in my family. So no i am not. Thats correct. Thank you. And dr. Goff, you finish it off and tell us if you are antipolice. I am not antipolice. I appreciate that so much. I think that will dispel some of the rumors that, that some will attempt to make about this hearing. Who lived and died in my neighborhood. And when he finally, you even talk about those subjects, a lot of times people make that argument that oh, your antipolice. And they dont seem to understand that when a Police Officer dies, which i more, no matter what color he or she is, even if theyre not from baltimore, i mourn. But i also mourn for freddie gray. And folks, some folks seem not to understand that you can have both. You know, so sometimes those kind of things, im glad you mentioned that. Its about truly talking to each other but Mister Jenkins and mister anquan boldin, can you tell us, im not looking for names but are there many other folks really trying to do similar things to what you all are doing . Yes, there are a lot of guys that have concerns about whats going on in their communities and across the nation. That are looking for ways to get involved. Theyre not sure what to do but they do want to put in some work and thats what me and an on are doing are blazing the trail for them to follow along. Weve recently started a Community Engagement community through our Players Union to really consolidate the efforts of guys that are doing awesome things in their own community but want to unify to really put a big voice to issues that they care about, criminal Justice Reform being one of them. Mister boldin. I will piggyback on that, there are a lot of guys were concerned that they got it going on in their communities. For us, were just trying to create a safe haven for guys to be active in their communities because just being honest, guys who are concerned about their likelihood. But were trying to make it to where guys dont have to be afraid to speak out and will be more than welcome to step up. You said something that again, we dont want to do anything to interfere with your livelihood either. We are very proud of you all. And we are, our pride is not limited to the field but our pride goes out to the fact that you stepped into a situation you didnt have to do. You all dont have to do this. But obviously, you havent forgotten from whence you came and obviously, you care about folks other than yourselves. And the contribution that you make just by showing up and expressing concern, giving of your time, your resources, your efforts are significant. And will affect generations yet unborn. Kids you dont even know, they will see this on cspan. You dont even know them, you will never meet them you will affect their lives so we encourage you, were going to do our part but we encourage you to do what you are doing. The other thing i want to go back to something that i said from the beginning. When youve been around here for a few years like i have, you start asking the question again, how do i make sure that im most effective and efficient in everything i do . And the reason why i asked you whether other folks are doing this is because im hoping that you all can look at best practices, for example if you are doing something mister boldin that you see working, i want to make sure theres an avenue to let whatever else or some other team note hey, this is working. Because believe me, if it works in baltimore, its going to work in atlanta. Its going to work. So again, going back to the effectiveness and efficiency but one of the things that you also, you all helped to break some of the ice. The reason why i asked the question about whether you all have in fact, could have impact talking to the police. Because i think you are right, because i found in my relationship with the police, just talking to them. And particularly when i tell them i live in the neighborhood, so again, i want to thank you all and if theres anything we can do to be supportive. Ideal to this young lady. Of course i will. Let meput on the record that number none of the members here are antipolice. Thank you very much. We also show recognition that most of the members live in the neighborhood. And rays sons and i want to emphasize what i call them. Com instead, to our role models but what i also want to say and i think there are colleagues sitting behind you and i may have come late and didnt get introduced but let me thank them as well. And fl, are you looking and listening . Because the nfl statute has just shot through the roof. Not because of your prowess on the field that because you are here in the United States congress and you are associated with the nfl. I hope they arelistening and looking. You are obviously independent but i hope they are seeing the value of what you are now saying and that they should be squarely, 100 percent, 200 percent with the owners behind the importance of your message because you are speaking to are the generations of nfl to come. And if there are safe lines through your worlds, we can change attitudes about policing. If we can move legislation in the congress to the United States of america, the power of the nfl so i know you are here on your own distinguished career and record and your own passion in your heart but dont diminish what you are doing for the nfl because you are really doing it and just a little bit of an advertisement, we also have something for the Congressional Black Caucus foundation. We want to make sure we give opportunities and support to young men in the nfl to come here and work with us in, i know theres processes going on but we want to give the opportunity for fellowships and internships during your offseason to be right here where the policymakers are because we can see the brilliance that is being exhibited here and we need your brilliance, i thank you for allowing me to yield, thank you for your present. When you talk about a safe haven, mister votel im glad you mentioned that and im ending on this note. Doctor gall said to this effect, that the police kind of like situations that are going to make their jobs easier. When you are talking to fellow floor players, youre talking about they need to make that point. In other words, that what you all are doing actually makes the police job much easier. And people need to understand that. So again, thank you and ill tell you, if they were doing one of those commercials where they feature great things and nfl players are doing, your testimony should havebeen applied. Im serious about all of that because it is so very, very important. Thanks a lot. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation]. [inaudible conversation] the Supreme Court is considering a case over when police can be sued for excessive force. Two Homeless People sued after police shot him in a shack behind the house. The people were searching for a parolee and came across the couple. The man was holding a bb gun used to shoot rats. The couple one of 4 million award. Listen to oral argument in the case of Los Angeles County versus mendez tonight at 8 30 eastern. The confirmation process for judge neil gore search to replace and toning substantially a continued neck week, the Judiciary Committee votes monday and if approved the nomination goes to the full senate. Final vote is planned for five friday, april 7. Live coverage of the Senate Debate here on cspan2. Cspan washington journal live every day with news that impacts you. Coming up saturday morning, phil ralph, executive director of doctor six. Org discusses Public Policy issues impacting veterans and Cato Institute policy analyst david dear will talk about the challenges of building a us Mexican Border wall and that our spotlight on magazine segment we figure wired contributing editor brendan turned discussing his piece on efforts to be radicalized isis recruits. Watch cspans washington journal live at seven eastern saturday morning, join the discussion. The Us Central Command head general joseph votel test avoid by the before the House Armed Services committee announcing the military has launched an investigation to determine that the us was responsible for recent civilian casualties in mosul, iraq. He had knowledge the military has not relax the rules of engagement. This hearing is an hour 45 minutes. [inaudible conversation] the committee will come to order. Today we turn our attention