
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 19, 1991                   TAG: 9102190351
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EARLY TASK FORCE REPORT PLANNED

A task force studying race relations in Roanoke expects to issue a preliminary report next month as part of a stepped-up effort to address issues such as minority police recruiting.

Burt Levine, spokesman for the Community Relations Task Force, said the panel's work so far has gone "hand in hand" with City Manager Robert Herbert's plans to intensify efforts to increase the number of black police officers in Roanoke.

Herbert said last week that while he does not want to upstage the task force, city officials will not wait on the panel's final report before beefing up "ongoing efforts" to attract more black police officers.

Levine said Herbert's action "dovetails nicely" with what the task force is doing.

"We're delighted that they're stepping up the efforts and giving it the priority that it needs," he said Monday. "Now we're really starting to move."

Herbert's plan - plus a recent decision by the task force to issue preliminary findings and recommendations next month - are part of a speeded-up effort to address problems that surfaced last summer.

"The whole process is one that we're trying to do as quickly as possible, but based on the facts and a careful analysis of the facts," Levine said.

Since the task force was formed last October to study community relations as a whole, the 21-member panel has focused on the Police Department. The Roanoke NAACP accused police last summer of sometimes using excessive force in dealing with blacks, which in turn has led to questions about minority recruiting in the nearly all-white department.

The city has nine blacks on its 244-member police force, less than 4 percent. Blacks make up about 24 percent of Roanoke's population.

Although the task force expects to address other issues, members decided not to wait for other matters before releasing a report concerning law enforcement.

Levine said members hope to have a draft of findings and recommendations completed by March 6, and that they could be released to the public sometime later in the month. After releasing a report on law enforcement, the task force will go on to other issues, but will also follow up on police matters if necessary, Levine said.

The report will go to Herbert, who appointed the task force last October at the suggestion of Mayor Noel Taylor.

In his annual report on the city's affirmative action program, which is to go to City Council today, Herbert disclosed plans for enhanced recruitment efforts at separation centers at military bases.

The city also will consider changes in procedures for hiring police officers and will be "responsive" to the task force's recommendations, Herbert said.

Levine said task force members are encouraged not only by Herbert's plan, but also by meetings in which Police Chief M. David Hooper has been receptive to their concerns.

by CNB