Between last week’s Stop, Question and Frisk training and community panel and today’s diversity program, it’s clear the police are making a concerted effort to repair community relations. But is it just for appearances to quiet the critics or a genuine effort? We have to still see the results and if cops on the streets are being more courteous and professional to the residents in the communities they serve. Until then, it’s all talk. More of your thoughts below.

Days before graduating from the Police Academy, 850 recruits visit the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The soon-to-be rookie cops took part in the first day of a "multi-cultural immersion training" program, designed to teach them about the diversity in the communities they're about to serve.

The four-day effort to improve police-community relations comes amid the growing controversy over the NYPD's Stop, Question and Frisk practices. It also comes at a time when Commissioner Ray Kelly says murders are at an all-time low. As of today, 182 murders have taken place in New York City, the lowest number for June 22 in 50 years.

How would you describe the current state of police-community relations in New York City? What advice would you give to the 850 recruits graduating next week? Are current police tactics directly responsible for the lower crime rate?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

Both sides have to agree on what will make relations work in each community.

It seems as though people want to do their own thing and all of this respect should start in the home. Many adults seem to start riots for every little incident that takes place. They should concentrate on their own particular communities to help make it a better place to live and work in.

It’s not an easy task and it will take a lot of work. But it seems as though if someone doesn't like a law that is not to their liking or in their favor we then have an uproar.

DO THE RIGHT THING
T O = T H E = POLITICIANS = SPECIFICALLY. DON’T INTERFERE WHEN IT ISN'T YOUR CONCERN ESPECIALLY TO MAKE POLITICAL POINTS.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

All of the Mayor’s actions are admissions that those of us who oppose stop and frisk are right and that he is wrong. Cops wouldn’t need any training if stop and frisk is right as it has been practiced.

Joe
Port Richmond

I guess despite all the screening and training they go through the NYPD can't find people who just know one basic thing, treat others like you want to be treated. That badge and a gun does not make you better or tougher than anyone else, so don't let a little power go to your head. Another thing is if you are going to be a hard-case, don't be selective about because it will just come across as being biased. I have seen many a drunk, White yuppie verbally and almost physically abuse police at the many bars in Manhattan, and they do not get the same knee to back, baton across the throat as many minorities do in similar or even less serious situation. It's that type of double-standard that makes certain communities dislike the police and some of their tactics and why it makes some of them look like bullies with a badge.

As for the ones working in the high crime areas, if you're scared imagine how the people who have to live there feel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If some of you come from Long Island, Upstate, New Jersey or wherever and you are scared of Black and Hispanic people and feel like you are on safari in some foreign country or part of some military invasion, stay home. We have enough young, dumb, punks with guns and little sense and since you seem to be unable to pick them out through careful observation and just go on random hunting expeditions, you really aren't helping. And for the Black and Hispanic officers who feel like they have to over compensate for the fellow officers, you are the worst of the bunch. Go look your family in the eye the next time you roust some kid and rough them up just because you can and tell then what you did at work that day.

RL
The Bronx

ITS A TALE OF TWO CITIES ASK ONE HUNDRED YOUNG WHITES HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE NYPD AND THEN ASK ONE HUNDRED MINORITIES.THE ANSWER IS A NO BRAINER.

PEDRO
BRONX

All cops are trigger happy

Brenda
Staten Island

Just keep criminals off the street and everyone will be happy

Josh
Queens

Just treat everyone with the respect you would give your parents if you honor them. Keep your guard up 24-7. In fulfilling the obligations of your job, remember to respect the beliefs of others especially children and the elderly. Your priority is to keep yourself safe in order to protect and serve the community. Leave drama and politics out of it.

David & Anna

In my opinion I would support the NYC police department in many ways. If they are not here... people would of face lot of crime & they might lose their life. Most all the cops they never know what's going to happen to them during the work. BC all the public guys are walking with a gun,knife or etc, so its hard them to figureout . NYC police have face lot type of problem to safe all the innocent people from them.

Training just ain't gonna do it. Bring back the cop on the beat community policing, so cops can get to know the neighborhoods. More than that, don't hire cops who live on long island or in westchester, maybe even on staten island, mostly white enclaves. Force cops to live in the city, just like a whole lot of other city workers. Why should cops be exempt? They need to live in these stop and frisk communities more than other city workers need to live in the city. Only low level low paid city workers must live in the city, not managers who make the boku bucks - or cops.

Meryl
Manhattan