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Community Relations Service
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Sharee Freeman
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Director of the Community Relations Service
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The Community Relations Service (CRS), a unique agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, is the federal government’s “peacemaker” for community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin. The Service uses impartial mediation practices and conflict resolution procedures to help local leaders resolve problems and restore stability. CRS conciliators work with state and local officials and community leaders to provide a wide variety of services to address racial issues and prevent violence. Specifically, CRS:
- Contributes expertise and guidance on methods and policies that calm racial tensions and conflicts;
- Enhances strategies of state and local governments and community groups to prevent and respond to civil disorders;
- Improves lines of communication among federal state and local public officials and community leaders and residents;
- Creates and implements initiatives that eliminate racial misconceptions and build multiracial coalitions; and
- Helps schools and universities effectively deal with racial tensions.
CRS has no law enforcement authority and does not impose solutions, investigate or prosecute cases, or assign blame or fault.
Sharee Freeman was recently named Director of the Community Relations Service. From 1982 to 1984, she was an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia. Most recently, she served as counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives International Relations Committee.
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