Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon


PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For More Information:
Ginny Hand , 610-655-6234

PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE LATINO COALITION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT

For immediate release/September 14, 2005: On Monday, September 12, 2005 Reading City Council approved a proposed police minority recruitment program that has been the product of joint and cooperative efforts of the City of Reading and the Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition (PSLC) in connection with a federal lawsuit filed by PSLC in 2003. The proposed program, which builds upon past programs initiated by the local Latino community and the City, has been the product of months of work between Reading and PSLC officials. It is aimed at increasing the number of minority and female applicants to the Reading Police Department and continuing to foster better relations between the citizens of Reading and the Police Department.

The key components of the program will be:

· The appointment of a Reading police officer as minority recruitment officer with efforts focused upon increasing the number of minority and female applicants to the RPD;

· Retention of a police recruitment / diversity expert, Charles M. Tiffin, Ph.D., to assist with the program. Dr. Tiffin, who is a Captain with the Durham (North Carolina) Police Department and who has over 30 years in police work, has spearheaded a similar, nationally-recognized program for the Durham Police Department. Dr. Tiffin earned his doctorate in diversity studies and law enforcement agencies, and received a Fulbright Fellowship in Professional Police Studies. Reading and PSLC expect that Dr. Tiffin will provide invaluable advice and counsel through the inception and implementation of the program.

· The creation of a Police Diversity Board comprised of seven (7) members of the Reading community of diverse backgrounds and work experience, who will assist with and oversee the program. Among other things, the Board will help the City develop and implement procedures to increase the representation of minorities and women within the Police Department, and maintain and improve positive relations between the Police Department and Reading citizens, particularly those citizens for whom English is not a first language.

The City and the PSLC have worked hard over the course of many months to expand upon initiatives that they believe will benefit all citizens of Reading. The City and PLSC are pleased to be working together and with Reading community groups and leaders in this exciting and progressive initiative.