AURORA — The police department will work to recruit more minority officers and communicate with citizens about how the agency works, based on the recommendations of a consultants' report released today.

The report, issued by Lamberth Consulting, found that a lack of diversity in the department is a primary reason for the strained relationship between police and members of the minority community in Aurora.

A committee that will look into recruiting and community outreach plans to meet Tuesday, said Aurora Police Capt. Jack DaLuz.

The committee will include police officers, community representatives and other government officials. The group will break into sub-groups to explore: recruiting; police and firefighter training reforms; communicating with citizens; and youth initiatives.

Rev. Thomas Mayes, chair of the Aurora Community of Faith, praised the efforts of Chief Daniel Oates in working to change the negative perception some community members have toward police.

Mayes said he thinks the lack of diversity has spawned tensions.

"I think when you find some answers to the diversity, you'll solve alot of the other problems," he said.

The report stemmed from a four-day series of forums attended by 350 people, including 140 police officers, in May.

Last year, an altercation between a white Aurora police officer and a black handicapped woman and her 13-year-old daughter outraged community activists, who called for the firing of the officer. The incident happened June 17, 2006, in the parking lot of a King Soopers, with the mother and daughter claiming Officer Charles DeShazer yelled a racial slur and used excessive force when he arrested them. DeShazer denied the allegations. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by a review panel.

The woman, Loree McCormick-Rice, is suing DeShazer in U.S. District Court.