Atkins W. Warren has more than 34 years experience in the administration of justice arena. Recently, he was the Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service - Region VII, which covers the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, and was responsible for managing crisis response within the region. He analyzed the level of racial tension and service delivery requirements and advised the National Director of the agency accordingly. Some of his numerous responsibilities are listed below:

• Assisted the National Director in formulating relevant national goals, objectives, policies and procedures
• Provided mediation and/or conciliation services to disputing parties in cases of major importance in the region or nation resolving conflicts relating to complex racial, ethnic and civil rights issues
• Managed and coordinated all regional program operations within the responsible area
• Coordinated all technical assistance, e.g., education and administration of justice in the assigned region as well as controlling and managing the total annual resources for the regional office
• Maintained working relationships with regional, federal, state and local public and private agencies and community representatives with related concerns.

Mr. Warren's knowledge and experience in the area of civil rights and mediation through planning, assigning, directing and coordinating work with the objective of resolving and/or preventing disputes, disagreements or difficulties stemming from discriminatory practices is extensive and well documented. He has established and maintained liaisons with top executives and officials of all major national organizations which possess an interest in and/or capacity for assisting in the crisis response work of CRS and in the prevention and resolution of major racial/ethnic conflicts in the region and nationally.

In times of great racial and social unrest intelligence, experience and an understanding of all aspects of the situation coupled with a wide working network of support, strong mediation skills and a cool head are crucial. Atkins Warren's ability to offer seasoned skills in this area has proven to be successful. During the Los Angeles riots in the 1990s he was handpicked to join the ranks of a select few chosen to directly' communicate with the LAPD, the Governor's office, Sheriff's office and US Attorneys and the Attorney General during an intensive on-site two month period. More recently, during the turbulent times in Riverside, California in 1999, when the community was greatly disturbed after a Black female was killed by the police in her car after she awakened from sleep, he worked with the community, the city and the police department to peacefully resolve and bring the community together.

On joining the agency in 1984, prior to assuming his position as Regional Director of Region VII, Community Relations Service with the US Department of Justice in Kansas City, MO, he served as the CRS expert in the field of police relations. There, he provided advice and guidance to CRS specialists working to solve problems and tensions arising in police departments. In that position he also served as an expert consultant to community groups and officials to help them become more knowledgeable concerning intergroup tensions arising from race and other factors.

From 1980 to 1984, Mr. Warren served as Chief of Police of the City of Gainesville, FL., His familiarity with Gainesville's law enforcement community led to his being called upon to assist in resolving race relations issues within the Gainesville Police Department while in his capacity as Regional Director. These efforts achieved a plaque awarded to the City of Gainesville by the Justice Department in 2000 for their outstanding efforts in resolving the racial problems and restoring a partnership with the community.

Also while serving as regional director, Mr. Warren led a team of mediators/conciliators in a "train the trainer" series in diversity training. This training started at the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Training Conference. Each year, from 1992 to 1999, the training continued at the national training conferences. In addition, the CRS staff trained other departments at other meetings around the country including the US Secret Service Department/Uniform Division at their Headquarters in Washington, DC. This was done in an effort to assist officers in understanding and assisting the communities they serve.

Prior to his serving as police chief in Gainesville, Mr. Warren was employed by the Metropolitan Police Department of St. Louis, MO. He began his Police career as a patrol officer, working in virtually all operational areas and rising through the ranks to become Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the Bureau of Inspections, where he supervised and developed the rules mid regulations of discipline. Mr. Warren was also in charge of the Internal Affairs Division, the Inspection and Evaluation Division, the Watchman Division and administered the standard operating procedures for the St. Louis Police Department.

Mr. Warren received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology as well as a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Webster University in Webster Groves, MO. He holds membership in numerous professional organizations: The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), of which he is a founding member and served as president from 1981-82; and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

He has served as a member of the Justice-Treasury Advisory Committee on State and Local Law Enforcement Training; and as a member of the Judicial Selection Commission of the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

On the international side, Mr. Warren has participated in discussions concerning civil unrest in England and has consulted on numerous police relations topics with the governments of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. He has also consulted with the US Slate Department on police community relations training for Central American countries. Mr. Warren has also served as an Expert Witness in court related civil law issues since 1978, representing both the plaintiff and defendant.

During the past decade, Mr. Warren has facilitated regional police chiefs and school superintendents into cooperative bodies who were ongoing and addressing the issues of violence and race in their respective communities. The police chiefs continue, however, due to budget problems, the superintendents discontinued in 2000. The key focus throughout his career has been "resolution through mediation and conciliation (without court litigation)." He now plans to devote his personal time to resolving race relations and diversity disruptions in police departments (where there is a pressing need), schools and communities where mediation can definitely be the major outside resource for resolution and community support.