BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — FBI Director James Comey says working to protect Americans’ civil rights is in some ways more difficult now because of the assumption that the fight for equality was settled decades ago.
Comey spoke at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday as part of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s annual conference on civil rights and law enforcement.
Comey discussed recent upticks in violent crime across the country and reiterated the need for comprehensive use of force data to encourage more informed discussions.
Comey also touched on remarks he made recently about the potential impact of citizens recording real or perceived police misconduct.
Comey says recent scrutiny has helped improve law enforcement accountability, but he wonders if it also poses unintended consequences in community policing.
