"In our view, it is the duty of law enforcement to protect and serve our communities and defend the U.S. Constitution. Despite these highly admirable goals, far too often law enforcement, and policing policies and practices, have failed to adequately protect communities of color, and at times has even acted as agents of injustice. As a result, deep mistrust and tension has developed between law enforcement and communities of color. Such tension was not born from the misconduct of a 'couple of bad apples,' but rather from official policies -- many of which continue to disproportionally impact and harm communities of color -- as well as 'the actions of the past and the role that [the law enforcement] profession has played in society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color.'"

Source

Written Submission of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, "Hearing on Reports of Impunity for Extrajudicial Executions in the United States," Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, 166th Period of Sessions, December 7, 2017.