This is the archived version of MPAC's website. For the latest updates, visit mpac.org.
This is the archived version of MPAC's website. For the latest updates, visit mpac.org.
This is the archived version of MPAC's website. For the latest updates, visit mpac.org.
Muslim Public Affairs Council
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mike downing

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

Videos
Civilian Oversight
Community Policing
lapd
Law Enforcement Accountability
mike downing
mpac
muslim public affairs council
Police Commission
Police Reform
public safety
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.
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Former LAPD Deputy Chief: “Terrorism Is Not About Religion”

Videos
Counterterrorism
Gang Prevention
Islam and Law Enforcement
lapd
mike downing
muslim public affairs council
National Security Policy
public safety
radicalization
salam al-marayati
On August 26, 2026 By MPAC
In this clip from The MPAC Podcast, former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing explains why radicalization mirrors street gang recruitment rather than religious theology. Drawing from his briefings with international security agencies, Downing breaks down the behavioral pipeline of indoctrination and mobilization - reminding us that violent extremists are criminals, regardless of the faith they claim. 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.
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Former LAPD Deputy Chief: “ICE Agents Are Not Police”

Videos
Community Policing
ICE Tactics
Immigration Policy
lapd
mike downing
mpac
muslim public affairs council
Police Reform
public safety
Rule of Law
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.
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Former LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing on Police Reform, Counterterrorism & ICE

Videos
civil liberties
Community Policing
Consent Decree
Counterterrorism
dr. maher hathout
ICE Reform
lapd
mike downing
mpac
muslim public affairs council
Police Reform
public safety
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.
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Can there be trust between American Muslims and law enforcement?

Videos
2017 mpac convention
american muslims
briding the divide
convention
cops
entrapment
lapd
lapd muslims
law enforcement
mike downing
mpac
muslims
nypd
nypd muslims
partnership
spying
terrorism
trust
On December 8, 2017 By MPAC
America has always struggled in prioritizing the security of the nation over the civil rights of its citizens, including American Muslims. Are the two mutually exclusive and does compromising one damage the effectiveness of the other? Panel speakers: - Mike Downing, Retired LAPD Deputy Chief - Jody Armour, USC Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law - Seema Ahmad, MPAC Board Chair Watch all videos from the 2017 MPAC Convention: http://bit.ly/2zI8KEF ---------- Subscribe to MPAC's channel: http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube Visit MPAC's website: http://mpac.org 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 --- About MPAC: MPAC improves public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging our government, media, and communities.
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