Obama to meet police chiefs after series of shootings
US President Barack Obama is to meet police chiefs after a series of shootings that have led to unrest across the US. It comes as funerals begin for the five police officers shot dead by a sniper in Dallas last week. As well as police, the meeting at the White House is also being attended by mayors, academics and civil rights activists. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the President is hoping the talks will result in positive steps to improve relations between police and ethnic minorities.
We’ll share solutions from communities that have already found ways to build trust and reduce disparities.
Barack Obama on Facebook
On Monday Mr Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met representatives from eight police organisations. Afterwards Mr Biden told CNN that some had voiced concerns for the safety of their members. “It’s the first time I’ve ever heard police organisations say ‘My guys are frightened’,” he said. The following day Mr Obama flew to Dallas to lead a memorial service for the five officers killed by former US army reservist Micah Johnson. The 25-year-old opened fire during a Back Lives Matter protest over the deaths of two black men at the hands of police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The President is hopeful that while the country is focused on this issue, that we can reprioritise and re-energise the search for common ground.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest
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