U.S. Attorney General visits Richmond to see police example

RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- The nation's top cop visited Richmond Friday to take a look at a city that has become a model for good relations between police and the community.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch says her decision to visit Richmond has something to do with its troubled past, but also its bright future and ongoing efforts to improve relations between police and the community.

"It's clear to me that Richmond is working towards really a holistic and comprehensive approach to public safety," Lynch said.

Richmond has received praise for its dramatic drop in violent crime under Chief Chris Magnus.

Magnus said, "This is a city that has really struggled with a lot of tough challenges..."

Just prior to the attorney general's arrival, there was a protest outside by demonstrators who claim last year's death of Richard "Pedie" Perez was a case of police brutality.

Lynch says ridding a police force of what she calls "unconscious bias" is just one step Richmond is taking in the right direction.

"That's more than just an arrest, it's more than just identifying a suspect, but is trying to identify the root causes of many of the problems," Lynch said.

"At the end of the day, successful community policing, the most important part of it is building trust with the community," Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said.

Lynch also announced Richmond will receive $625,000 in federal money toward the hiring of five additional police officers.