public safety

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: “Terrorism Is Not About Religion”

Counterterrorism

Gang Prevention

Islam and Law Enforcement

muslim public affairs council

National Security Policy

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.

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.

Salt Lake City Attack: Driven by Conspiracy Theories

community security

double standard

muslim public affairs council

political rhetoric

salam al-marayati

Salt Lake City stabbing

The MPAC Podcast with Salam Al-Marayati

On July 17, 2026 By MPAC

If a Muslim stabbed a Christian or a Jew, there would be an immediate national outcry and calls for mass deportations. But when it's the other way around? Silence. In this urgent clip from MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati addresses the alarming reality of the recent stabbing of Syed Sohail Uddin in Salt Lake City by a man explicitly hunting for a Muslim victim. This tragedy mirrors the horrific killing of six-year-old Wadea in Chicago, yet local and national public officials remain silent. Salam directly links this localized violence to broader political tactics - pointing out the 61 members of Congress fueling "Islamic conspiracy" theories and states like Texas and Florida treating peaceful civic groups and mosques as threats. When political figures fuel anti-Muslim sentiments, they give a green light to radicalized individuals acting on dangerous conspiracy theories. MPAC stands firmly at the intersection of media and policy to break this institutional silence and demand that violent hate crimes are condemned equally, regardless of the victim's or culprit's background. We also extend our profound gratitude to the brave bystanders who stepped in, stopped the attacker, and saved a life. Confronting the toxic rhetoric that fuels these attacks is exactly how the team at MPAC fights to protect our communities every day. How can we force public officials and mainstream media to apply the same level of urgency and condemnation to anti-Muslim hate crimes as they do to other tragedies? Let us know below. #HateCrimeReform #MediaDoubleStandard #saltlakecity