Rep. Mike Hope speaking on the panel with (from left) former Rep. Al O’Brien, Councilman Tim Burgess, and (far right) U.S. Marshal Mark Ericks.

 

Rep. Mike Hope today joined three other community leaders on a panel discussing the relationship between law enforcement and the community. The discussion was part of a Criminal Justice Ethics and Accountability Continuing Education Event, hosted by Seattle University’s Criminal Justice Department.

Joined by Hope on the panel were Al O’Brien, former representative and Seattle police officer; Mark Ericks, former representative and current U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Washington; and Tim Burgess, Seattle city councilman and former Seattle police officer.

“It was an honor to be chosen as part of this criminal justice panel and to have an open discussion with the students, professors, city social service groups and the law enforcement community,” said Hope, R-Lake Stevens. “We heard possible solutions for improving the relationship between community members and law enforcement. We also talked about how we can make the police more visible amongst the public. One thing I took from this was the importance of an open government that is accountable to the people it serves. When government is up-front and honest with the people, you can restore that trust and respect so we can all work together toward one common goal.”