Colorado Springs church hosts panel discussing law enforcement accountability

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A local church in Colorado Springs hosted a panel for advocacy groups, police and college professors to discuss law enforcement accountability.

Rev. Promise Lee, who presides over the Relevant Word Ministries church, says this is the first panel of a series they hope to hold every other month.

"This community conversation is, in fact, a move in the right direction," he said. "If we can get sincerity, transparency, then that will move us in the right direction.” 

At least 100 people gathered to listen to several speakers including local professors from UCCS and Colorado College, and Chief Vince Niski with the Colorado Springs Police Department.

In wake of several officer-involved shootings last year, Lee says he wanted to provide a forum in which the public and law enforcement could discuss better ways to be held accountable and transparent in their doings.

"We understand that being a police officer is a dangerous job," Lee said. "But there should be a response to the community when these [shootings] occur."

The event was co-hosted by Relevant Word Ministries, NAACP Colorado Springs, Jody Alyn Consulting, Citizens Project, The Colorado Springs Independent, Colorado College, and The Justice for De’Von Editorial Board