The president of the United Christian Leadership Ministry, the Rev. Lewis Stewart, says the latest police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota could have implications for Rochester.
He says these shootings were unjustified to say the least, and demonstrated excessive force by police.
But they also offer an opportunity here in Rochester.
"It is an opportunity to engage in dialogue, to improve community-police relations, because certainly issues have gone on here in the past which need to be looked at," he said.
Stewart is renewing his call for more training in racial perceptions and racial justice education, and the implementation of a civilian review board with subpoena power.
Otherwise, he says, dangerous times may lie ahead through retaliation.
"Therefore we must have the courage and will to really change the culture of the police department. We see what's going on nationally but locally, we have to do all we can in every way that we can to ensure peace in our community," he said.
Stewart says he feels Police Chief Mike Ciminelli and Mayor Lovely Warren both want to improve police-community relations.
He says the problem lies in rogue officers who fuel mistrust.
Chief Ciminelli has said that the implementation of a five-section police model should improve police-community relations.