NJ Spotlight reports:

Arriving in New Jersey during a "National Community Policing Week" designated by President Barack Obama, Lynch reiterated the idea of "rebuilding the bonds of trust" between police and community as the key to success. But only part of the discussion at the Newark Public Library was open to the public. For the rest, Lynch heard from invited guests behind closed doors. Even with that limitation, at least some participants welcomed the chance to speak directly to what they viewed as receptive officialdom.

"This is a conversation that has been at least 49 years in the making, going back to the Newark rebellion," said Ryan Haygood, president and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

He quoted a former colleague, Sherrilyn Ifill, that "there is not a golden era of trust in most communities of color" toward law enforcement. Rather than returning to a mythological past, "we envision a new relationship in a new era," Haygood said...

"In terms of recruiting, we should encourage young people, even at the elementary school age, to think about careers in law enforcement," Haygood said.

Something of a new era forced itself on Newark in March, when the city agreed to a consent decree with Lynch's Justice Department to implement reforms such as an end to unconstitutional stop-and-frisk searches, the addition of the body cameras and police vehicle cameras, and standardized disciplinary procedures and penalties.

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