wfn.org | United Methodist executive supports justice bill

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

March 17, 2000 News media contact: Joretta Purdue ·(202) 546-8722·Washington
10-21-30-71B{154}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Racial profiling and other justice issues have garnered
widespread support for a proposed law among civil rights groups, including
the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

The Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett joined representatives of other advocacy
organizations in endorsing the proposed Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity
Act of 2000 "because we want a more effective and just criminal justice
system, a system that encompasses police and law-abiding citizens working
closely together" and because of concern with abuse of racial minorities by
the police.

"Because The United Methodist Church believes in reconciliation and
redemption, we work toward a criminal justice system that is humane and
just, one that is aimed at restoration rather than vengeance," a statement
issued March 15 by Fassett says. He expressed the belief that this bill is a
step in that direction.

The act would provide for data collection on racial profiling by requiring
the U.S. departments of Justice, Treasury and Interior to collect data on
the personal characteristics - such as race, ethnicity, and gender - of
individuals targeted for investigation, detention, traffic stops or
warrantless searches by federal law enforcement agencies, Fassett said.

He also stressed that the act requires the Department of Justice to prepare
a "master report" analyzing those findings and recommending improved
policies and procedures.

Fassett said the bill seeks to implement law enforcement development
programs. As introduced, the bill would authorize the attorney general to
make grants to states, other units of government, or multi-jurisdictional
consortia to study law enforcement agency operations and to develop pilot
programs focused on effective training, recruitment, hiring, management and
oversight of law enforcement officers.
 
'The United Methodist Church specifically supports staffing at every level
of the criminal justice system with persons who represent a diversity of
cultural backgrounds and who meet high standards of training and experience,
including cultural understanding and care about the persons who come under
their jurisdiction," he said.

Laws must be fairly enforced and impartially administered, Fassett insisted.
"No one is immune from the requirements of the law because of power,
position, or economic station in life. Furthermore, the power of the police
must never be used to harass, provoke, or discriminate against persons based
on their race, ethnic, or cultural background, political identification,
age, class, or gender."

Other groups endorsing the bill included American Civil Liberties Union,
National Council of La Raza, National Urban League, National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People, several ethnic organizations and other
religious and law enforcement groups.
	
# # #

The full text of the statement by the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett follows:

 The General Board of Church and Society Supports the Law Enforcement Trust
 and Integrity Act of 2000
 
This is a statement of General Secretary Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett.  The
General Board is directed to "speak its convictions, interpretations, and
concerns to the Church and to the world."

"The Christian Church as an institution is charged with the responsibility
to ensure that a system of justice safeguards the inherent right that human
beings possess as God's creatures and objects of the love and care that
derive from that relationship. The primary purpose of the criminal justice
system and its administration is to protect individuals and
society from any violation of their legal and constitutional rights."
--1996 Book of Resolutions: Resolution on Criminal Justice
 	
The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that "the Church
should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state,
supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and compassionate and
opposing policies and programs that are not. We support governmental
measures designed to reduce and eliminate crime, consistent with respect for
the basic freedom of persons."
 	
Because The United Methodist Church believes in reconciliation and
redemption, we work toward a criminal justice system that is humane and
just, one that is aimed at restoration rather than vengeance.  Toward that
end, the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church
gives support to the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2000.  
 		
The Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act includes federal data collection
on racial profiling that requires the U.S. Departments of Justice, Treasury
and Interior to collect data on the personal characteristics (race,
ethnicity, and gender) of individuals targeted for investigation (e.g.,
detention, traffic stops, or warrantless searches) by federal law
enforcement agencies   It requires the Department of Justice to prepare a
"master report" analyzing those findings and recommending improved policies
and procedures.
 
Our laws must be fairly enforced and impartially administered. No one is
immune from the requirements of the law because of power, position, or
economic station in life. Furthermore, the power of the police must never be
used to harass, provoke, or discriminate against persons based on their
race, ethnic, or cultural background, political identification, age, class,
or gender.
 	
The Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act seeks to implement law
enforcement development programs that authorize the Attorney General to make
grants to states, units of local government, Indian Tribal governments,
other public and private entities, and multi-jurisdictional or regional
consortia to study law enforcement agency operations and to develop pilot
programs focused on effective training, recruitment, hiring, management, and
oversight of law enforcement officers.
 
In turn, The United Methodist Church specifically supports staffing at every
level of the criminal justice system with persons who represent a diversity
of cultural backgrounds and who meet high standards of training and
experience, including cultural understanding and care about the persons who
come under their jurisdiction.
 
The General Board of Church and Society supports this bill not only out of
concern about the frequent abuses of ethnic minorities by the police, such
as the assault of Abner Louima or the killing of Amadou Diallo, but also
because we want a more effective and just criminal justice system, a system
that encompasses police and law-abiding citizens working closely together.
Such cooperation can occur only when the police are fair and humane and when
they behave in ways that are sensitive and considerate. The General Board of
Church and Society believes the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act is a
step in that direction.

Only the General Conference Speaks for the entire denomination.  The General
Board of Church and Society is the international public policy and social
action agency of The United Methodist Church.

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United Methodist News Service
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