U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks to a meeting of the    U.S. Conference of Mayors at the Clinton Presidential Library    in Little Rock, Ark., on Oct. 8, 2014. (Associated Press)    **FILE** more >        
      Speaking to a gathering of police chiefs Monday, Attorney      General Eric Holder said      that the work of law enforcement is often thankless and      challenging, but is absolutely vital to the U.S. and to      the world.    
      These sacrifices are too often overlooked, Mr. Holder told the annual      conference of the International Association of Chiefs of      Police. And I believe we do ourselves, our communities and      our nation a grave disservice if we ignore these      difficulties.    
      Law enforcement officials, who the IACP represents, provide      leadership in their communities, but must continue to address      ongoing tensions like those in Ferguson, Missouri, the      attorney general told the groups annual gathering in      Orlando.    
      As law enforcement leaders, it is incumbent upon each of us      to take constructive, inclusive steps to rebuild trust and      instill respect for the rule of law in all of the communities      where these tensions are uncovered, he said. When people      have faith in the integrity of the process  they are more      likely to cooperate with local authorities and obey the law,      even if they disagree with particular outcome.    
      Mr. Holder also addressed      the growing topic of heroin overdoses, advocating for all      police officers to be equipped with anti-overdose medication,      such as the compound naloxone.    
      I am confident that these efforts will save and improve      lives while conserving precious resources, Mr. Holder said. We must never       and we will never  stop being vigilant against crime, or the      conditions and choices that breed it. But investing in      effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation; ensuring      that incarceration is used appropriately  and reserving the      toughest penalties for serious, violent, or high-level      traffickers  can only serve to strengthen our criminal      justice system as a whole.    
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Eric Holder: Law enforcement challenging, vital, often thankless