Norwich — Members of the Norwich Police Department, the Norwich Area Clergy Association and the public will lead a discussion titled “Race, Policing and Violence” on Tuesday at the Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with registration and a light meal, followed at 6 p.m. by presentations by police, the clergy association and members of the public on the topics. Participants will break into small groups to further discuss the issues.

“We are holding this conversation because we don’t want to only hold vigils,” Jillian Corbin, a member of The Norwich Clergy Association, said in a news release on the event.

Parents, clergy, professionals, elected officials, high school students and members of the public are urged to participate. Participants are asked to call Norwich Human Youth and Family Services at (860) 823-3782 to register for the free event. Transportation for groups can be arranged, and child care will be provided at the event.

“The purpose of this community conversation is to create a productive dialogue among a broad cross-section of community members that will help citizens become more informed about the need for improved community relationships, identify areas of common ground among participants, as well as clarify important disagreements,” the sponsoring groups said in the news release. “It is also a safe place where people can ask questions and raise concerns. The goal of the conversation is not to blame but to build local capacity and set the stage for new, effective community actions on behalf of all citizens."

The event is being sponsored by Norwich Human Services, Youth and Family Services, Norwich Clergy Association, Norwich Police Department, Norwich Free Academy, Norwich N.A.A.C.P., Norwich Public Schools, Integrated Day Charter School, UCFS, Otis Library and Sankofa Education and Leadership Inc.