Rapid City Police Work to Improve Race Relations in City

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The Rapid City Police Department is taking several steps to try to improve relations with the city's Native American community.

By November, everyone on the force is to have undergone cultural training. The department also is exploring ways to recruit Native Americans into law enforcement.

Officials also have unveiled a new squad car that features a horse-and-feather design done by a Native American artist.

An independent study on race relations in Rapid City last year showed friction between the Native American community and the mostly white police force. Racial tensions were strained by several incidents including Native American children being sprayed with beer during a minor league hockey game.

The police department formed a community cultural advisory committee in the wake of the study.

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