News

The Baker Peace Conference is an annual event held to take a deeper look at law enforcement around the country.

 

The two-day event focuses on modern-day policing, the war on drugs and the American penal system.

 

OU professor Steven Miner organized the event.

 

He says now, more than ever, there's a need for a conference on peace.

 

"There's a slogan that one hears from protestors 'there's no justice, no peace' and what they mean if the streets aren't safe and policing isn't done properly and if punishments aren't equitable, then there will be no peace. So clearly it's a peace issue," said Miner.

 

Miner says this year's conference has a highly experienced keynote speaker: William Bratton.

 

Bratton led the police departments in New York City and Los Angeles during his law enforcement career.

 

Miner says the conference has something for everyone.

 

"We have the keynote speech tomorrow night at 7:30 in the Baker Theatrer and then following that on the 2nd floor on Friday morning we have 3 panels at 9:30, one o'clock and three o'clock," he said.

 

Miner was a guest on WOUB's Newswatch program last night.