FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The city of Ferguson, Missouri, says it working hard to better connect with the community and learn from the “discord and heartbreak” that followed the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a police officer.

The St. Louis suburb put out a statement Tuesday saying that Mayor James Knowles III, members of the City Council and city employees have been meeting with residents, religious and elected leaders to address concerns raised following Brown’s death on Aug. 9. Officer Darren Wilson is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

The statement from the city says it wants to get more black officers onto the police force, and to rebuild the West Florissant Avenue business district that has been ravaged by nightly confrontations between police and protesters.

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