This report presents the proceedings of a conference held to examine the relationship between the police and minority groups with a focus on the problem of police use of excessive force. Successful community-police efforts to increase safety and reduce the use of force are described in case studies from four cities. Also presented are the texts of small group discussions held on (1) racial double standards in arrest rates; (2) police use of excessive force; (3) police training to lessen the use of excessive force; (4) State laws governing police use of firearms and the effects of firearm policy in police use of weapons; (5) ways that police chiefs' attitudes affect their forces' use of firearms; (6) ways that minority and majority groups differ in their response to the use of force by police. Options for both police and community groups to reduce tension and conflict are focused upon in talks presented on the second day of the conference. Also addressed are the issues of municipal liabilities in cases of police use of excessive force, the training of police officers to handle stressful situations, and special problems of non urban police departments. A list of conference participants (who included community relations workers, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and concerned citizens) is appended to the report. (Author/APM)