The board president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police apologized Monday for the "historical injustices" sometimes committed by law enforcement officers, saying the profession needs to acknowledge the problem before it could start healing wounds.

During a speech delivered at the association's annual conference in San Diego, IACP President Terrence Cunningham, chief of police in Wellesley, Mass. said the history of law enforcement is replete with acts of bravery and self-sacrifice but also has its darker side.

"There have been times when law enforcement officers, because of the laws enacted by federal, state and local governments, have been the face of oppression for far too many of our fellow citizens," Cunningham said. "In the past, the laws adopted by our society have required police officers to perform many unpalatable tasks, such as ensuring legalized discrimination or even denying the basic rights of citizenship to many of our fellow Americans."

That history has created "a multigenerational—almost inherited—mistrust between many communities of color and their law enforcement agencies," he said.

"Many officers who do not share this common heritage often struggle to comprehend the reasons behind this historic mistrust," Cunningham said. "As a result, they are often unable to bridge this gap and connect with some segments of their communities."

He urged all parties to move forward together in "an atmosphere of mutual trust."

"All members of our society must realize that we have a mutual obligation to work together to ensure fairness, dignity, security and justice," he said. http://bit.ly/2doGCaR

• Associations applaud of global warming agreement, but warn of increased cots
• Psychological association says election season stressing people out
• Associations back proposed Las Vegas Convention Center expansion
• Apparel association continues fued with online Chinese retailer
• Beverage association stops payments to dietitians who oppose soda taxes