By Victor Landa, NewsTaco

Two stories out of Pasco, Washington, point to apparent forward movement in that community’s efforts to reconcile the police department with the Latino community.

The death of Antonio Zambrano, 35, at the hands of Pasco police officers on February 10 ignited several weeks of demonstrations. Now, there are two efforts on hand to quell the Latino community’s anger – mediation talks and a series of public meetings.

The Associated Press reports that a Washington state commission will organize the public hearings this weekend, while Reuters reports that U.S. Justice Department’s conciliation service will hold confidential talks with the Pasco Police Department and Pasco’s Latino community leaders. Neither the community meeting nor the mediated talks have prosecutorial authority.

Both the Associated Press and the Reuters reports are linked below.

Hispanic Affairs Commission plans Pasco meeting

By Associated Press

PASCO, Wash. — The state Commission on Hispanic Affairs will hold public meetings in Pasco this Friday and Saturday to allow members of the community to discuss the recent shooting of a Mexican man by police.

The Tri-City Herald reports that commission chair Gloria Ochoa says officials will mostly be listening to the community’s concerns.

Click HERE to read the full story.

U.S. to hold mediation talks after Washington state police slaying

By Eric M. Johnson, Reuters

SEATTLE (Reuters) – Police and Latino leaders in Washington state will soon come together for federally mediated talks over the police killing of a rock-throwing Mexican immigrant that has sparked community outrage and distrust, and inspired comparisons to other recent police slayings.

A Seattle official from the U.S. Justice Department’s conciliation service, which holds no prosecutorial power in the case, will hold confidential talks next week with Pasco Police Department and Latino community leaders, Police Chief Bob Metzger said in a statement on Tuesday.

Click HERE to read the full story.