MANCHESTER, NH — How do we create a community we all want to live in? That is the question being put forth by Manchester Police Department, which is hosting a community event on Jan. 15 to help get the conversation going.
“What’s race got to do with it? Policing in a diverse community” will be presented by Manchester Police, along with a panel of community leaders to get the discussion going about how to work toward living in a peaceful and harmonious environment within the city of Manchester, NH.
The event will be held at the Manchester Police Athletic League/Officer Michael Briggs Community Center, 409 Beech Street, beginning with light refreshments from 5:30 – 6 p.m. followed by a candid and open discussion of policing in a diverse community from 6 – 8 p.m.
The panel of community leaders will include: Manchester Police Chief David Mara, Retired Police Chief Eddie Edwards; Andrew Smith, MBA; and Manchester Police Commissioner Woullard Lett. The moderator for the event will be Dottie Morris, Ph.D.
Edwards currently serves as the communications director for Congressman Frank Guinta and is the former Chief of South Hampton NH Police Department and the State of New Hampshire Liquor Commission.
Andrew Smith, MBA is the Disproportionate Minority Contact Coordinator for the State of New Hampshire-Division for Juvenile Services.
Willourd Lett is a police commissioner with the Manchester Police Department and was most recently elected President of the Manchester NAACP.
Dottie Morris, Ph.D. is the Chief Officer for Diversity and Multiculturalism at Keene State College and received her Ph.D. from Washington State University. She is a professor at Keene State College as well and teaches Psychology and Education courses.
The panel hopes to have several breakout groups in an attempt to narrow down “hot topics” which may prompt immediate discussion. The goals and objectives are to share information while listening and discussing all points of view from constituents.
