The Village of Flossmoor will host a forum on Saturday, Oct. 29, to discuss how to improve community relations and strengthen the bonds between residents and police officers.
The forum will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. in room 101 in Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School’s North Building.
The forum is a response to tensions in the community following the killing by police of Madeline Miller on July 10. Protesters have spoken out at every board meeting since the incident.
Village officials, including Mayor Michelle Nelson, members of the Flossmoor Board of Trustees, Flossmoor police leadership and other local leaders will all be participating in the open discussion, which will be facilitated by independent experts on community relations, inclusion and equity.
“We’ve been looking for the right way to facilitate healing in a manner that gives people an opportunity to be heard while also embarking on a shared effort to improve the relationship between our residents and police officers,” Nelson said.
The forum will be facilitated by Carla Madeleine Kupe, a well-respected attorney and diversity, equity and inclusion consultant. Co-facilitating the forum will be the former president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and current Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis.
Village officials have been working closely with Kupe and Davis to develop an agenda which gives everyone in attendance an opportunity to air their concerns, ask questions and brainstorm on ways in which the police and community can work more closely together, especially in times of crisis.
“When it comes to strengthening the bonds between the police and the community we serve, the work is never really finished. Rather, the dialogue should be frequent, ongoing, respectful and candid,” said Flossmoor Police Chief Tod Kamleiter.
“It is our hope that the community forum represents a step in that direction and illustrates our commitment to listening to our residents, our police officers and everyone who has a stake in a vibrant and safe community,” Nelson said.