Community Relations Service

The Community Relations Service (CRS) is part of the United States Department of Justice. The office is intended to act as a peacemaker "for community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and disability." It was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964,[1][2][3] and its mission was broadened by the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Originally under the Department of Commerce, it was moved to the Department of Justice by order of President Johnson.[4]

It is "the only Federal agency dedicated to assist State and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups with preventing and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, incidents, and civil disorders, and in restoring racial stability and harmony" by employing conciliators.[5] The current acting director is Gerri Ratliff.[6]

References
  1. Harrington, Christine (1985). Shadow Justice: The Ideology and Institutionalization of Alternatives to Court. Greenwood Press  – via Questia (subscription required) . p. 88. ISBN 0313243328.
  2. Berkowitz, Steve; Asher, Mark (15 January 1994). "BCA Delays Boycott; Justice Department Offers to Mediate". Washington Post  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  3. Furst, Randy (22 July 2008). "REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION; Justice Department unit reaches out to police, protesters". Star Tribune  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  4. Hutchinson, Earl Ofari (1996). Betrayed: A History of Presidential Failure to Protect Black Lives. Westview Press  – via Questia (subscription required) . p. 129. ISBN 0813324653.
  5. http://www.justice.gov/crs/us-doj-community-relations-service
  6. Community Relations Service, U.S Department of Justice. Accessed June 15, 2017.


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