The Rockdale County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has invited Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett and Gary Washington, Conyers-based attorney, to discuss why it is important for Rockdale County residents to know their legal rights and exactly what those rights are.

Washington, who will discuss traffic stops and automobile searches, police stops and arrest, police home visits and searches and police questions and interrogations, asked the rhetorical question, "If you were suddenly stopped by police, would you be prepared to handle the pressure, stress, and confusion of the situation?" He further states that, "During most police-citizen encounters, law enforcement officers hold an overwhelming advantage."  

Levett plans to cover the same topics as Washington from the law enforcement perspective stating that, "My goal is to continue to strategize, using the best practice implementation, to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community.  I plan to do this through incorporating community oriented policing skills, throughout the department, for all officers and staff, to provide quality service to the community.”

Washington said, "Those planning to attend should be prepared for an informative discussion on knowing your rights and how to effectively assert them during encounters with law enforcement officers."

The event is free and open to the public, and it takes place on Monday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m., at Macedonia Baptist Church, 1052 Barton St., Conyers.

For questions or additional information, contact Deborah Anderson at 678-458-0968.