Community Policing

Former LAPD Deputy Chief: “Policing Is Not an Occupying Army”

Civilian Oversight

Community Policing

Law Enforcement Accountability

muslim public affairs council

Police Commission

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On August 27, 2026 By MPAC

In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing breaks down why dismantling community affairs and shifting away from community-based policing is a critical mistake. Downing explains that without continuous community engagement, advisory boards, and civilian partnership, a police department stops serving the public and functions like a military occupation. Watch full podcast episodes and policy breakdowns on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Links in the description! Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/give.

Former LAPD Deputy Chief: “ICE Agents Are Not Police”

Community Policing

Immigration Policy

muslim public affairs council

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On August 25, 2026 By MPAC

In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing speaks candidly about why Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing "POLICE" labels damages public trust. With 35 years of law enforcement experience, Downing breaks down how authentic community policing is grounded in outreach, partnership, and prevention - principles entirely missing from ICE's aggressive tactics. Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC®) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/give.

Former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing on Police Reform, Counterterrorism & ICE

civil liberties

Community Policing

Counterterrorism

dr. maher hathout

muslim public affairs council

salam al-marayati

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On August 25, 2026 By MPAC

In this episode of The MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati sits down with longtime colleague Mike Downing, former LAPD Deputy Chief and head of the Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau. Reflecting on a 35-year law enforcement career spanning the 1965 Watts Riots to the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising, Downing breaks down what it takes to build authentic community-led policing, why federal consent decrees were essential to institutional LAPD reform, and the critical difference between local community police and militarized agencies like ICE. Salam and Mike also engage in a direct, candid discussion regarding post-9/11 counterterrorism policies, intelligence gathering, the roots of radicalization, and the ongoing stigmatization of American Muslim civil rights organizations. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & 35 Years on the LAPD Force 03:56 - Smart Policing vs. Hunting & Pursuing 08:32 - The 1992 Uprising, Christopher Commission & Federal Consent Decree 12:12 - America’s Homelessness Failure & Systemic Solutions 16:36 - Defund the Police Debate & Quasi-Military Structures 19:12 - Suspicious Activity Reporting, Intelligence & Community Trust 28:23 - Comparing Gang Dynamics to Counterterrorism & Radicalization 30:08 - The Problem with ICE: Excessive Force & Lack of Accountability 36:47 - Civil Rights Engagement: CAIR, MPAC & The Legacy of Dr. Maher Hathout Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/give.

Connie Rice: Why Lawsuits & Protests Aren’t Enough to Save Democracy

Civil Rights Lawyer

Civil Rights Movement

Community Policing

Los Angeles Politics

muslim public affairs council

Protest to Power

Public Safety Reform

salam al-marayati

Systemic Change

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

Violence Reduction

On August 12, 2026 By MPAC

In this powerful episode of The MPAC Podcast, host Salam Al-Marayati sits down with nationally acclaimed civil rights attorney and activist Constance L. "Connie" Rice. Having won over $10 billion in class action settlements and policy changes - including the largest civil rights settlement in U.S. history - Connie Rice shares why winning in court wasn't enough when her clients were still dying in the streets. She breaks down her shift from suing the LAPD to partnering with them to pioneer public health community policing, the limits of court litigation, and why modern protest movements fail when they aren't tied to power infrastructure. Salam and Connie also dive deep into the current threat of authoritarianism, structural economic inequality, and what it takes to protect the constitutional order. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Connie Rice’s Legacy 01:41 - Winning Lawsuits While Clients Were Dying 03:28 - From Suing the LAPD to Transforming Police Culture 11:23 - Why the 1960s Civil Rights Playbook Doesn't Fit Today 18:18 - Analyzing the Authoritarian Threat & Systemic Disinvestment 23:15 - Protests vs. Power: The Pitfalls of Modern Movements 32:42 - Grocery Bills, Economic Despair & Political Realities 50:41 - Gaza, Media Coverage, and U.S. Foreign Policy Double Standards 01:10:03 - Why Los Angeles Politics Fail Everyday Citizens Subscribe & Follow: Subscribe to MPAC on YouTube for more long-form conversations and analysis. Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Learn more at [mpac.org]. Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Like MPAC on Facebook: http://fb.com/mpacnational Follow MPAC on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mpac_national Follow MPAC on Instagram: http://instagram.com/mpac_national Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org About the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) We improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities. Help us to continue this work by making a donation today: http://mpac.org/give.