Community Relations Service (CRS) Mediation Resolves Kenosha, Wisconsin School and Police Issues With NAACP, LULAC, and Kenosha Ministerial Alliance

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the signing of a 16-point agreement mediated by the Community Relations Service (CRS) addressing allegations of racial disparities between the Kenosha Unified School District, the City of Kenosha, the Kenosha District Attorney, and the Kenosha Branches of the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the Kenosha Ministerial Alliance in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

"Community leaders, and the city, the school, and the law enforcement officials in Kenosha have shown unquestionable diligence in working together for almost three years to resolve complaints of racial discrimination. As a result of the parties' efforts in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the 16-point agreement signed institutes real procedures to improve race relations," said CRS Acting Director Ondray T. Harris.

The parties reached consensus on a 16-point agreement that included formation of police school advisory council; a youth task force; diversity recruitment plan for police, teachers, and prosecutors; a new policy for school resource officers; and joint cultural awareness training.

The Community Relations Service was first contacted in February 2005 regarding allegations of a series of incidents between students and school resource officers in the Kenosha school system. It was also alleged that the lack of minority teachers had resulted in disproportionate rates of suspension for African American students. In addition, Community leaders complained about racially-biased policing towards African Americans and Hispanics.

CRS conducted the first mediation session between the parties on June 27, 2005. Afterwards, the parties met on a regular basis to reach this agreement to improve race relations in Kenosha.

CRS is a unique federal component dedicated to preventing and defusing racial and ethnic conflicts. For more information about the Community Relations Service, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, see its web pages at http://www.usdoj.gov/crs .