US Commission on Civil Rights Commissioner and WilmerHale Partner Debo Adegbile and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot discuss the US Conference of Mayors’ blueprint for improving policing and promoting equal justice in America’s cities. The interview highlights the challenges of balancing the need to ensure public safety with crafting necessary reforms that protect people’s civil rights. They discuss the polarizing concept of defunding the police, the impact of COVID-19 on public safety, the importance of mayors having a seat at the table for city policymaking, and the critical responsibility of both police departments and communities in ensuring peace.

Topics covered:

• The US Conference of Mayors’ August release of a Report on Police Reform and Racial Justice.
• WilmerHale served as counsel to the working group that developed the blueprint.
• Lightfoot’s professional background in law.
• Bringing policymaking to the city level, not just the federal level. 
• Defunding the police versus ensuring an equitable distribution of resources in communities.
• Reexamining the job description for police officers.
• The impact of COVID-19 on public safety.
• Communities’ impatience following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others, and how the public can play a role in putting into action the blueprint from the US Conference of Mayors’ report.
• The Trump Administration’s view of police reform and civil unrest in contrast with that of the Obama Administration and other administrations.

Other links:

• John Walsh’s bio
• Brendan McGuire’s bio