The fatal shooting of Sammie Davis Jr. by a Macon police officer is prompting plans for community forums to address relations between the public and city police.

Already, the Macon branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the federal Justice Department had planned a forum for 11 a.m. Saturday at Unionville Missionary Baptist Church.

Wednesday, Mayor Robert Reichert said at a news conference that a second forum is tentatively scheduled for March 28.

Reichert said Davis’ shooting by officer Clayton Sutton at the Pio Nono Avenue Kroger in December has highlighted the issue of the public’s perception of law enforcement and mistrust of police.

The perception is that officers are “rude, arrogant, biased, dishonest and unjust,” Reichert said.

The city is working with the Justice Department on best practices and how to resolve issues.

City employees also are set to receive training from the Justice Department on racial profiling and cultural diversity to “promote mutual respect,” Reichert said.

The training will be held as soon as practical, he said.

Deputy Police Chief Mike Carswell said a shooting review board soon will be convened, including Macon police and officers from other accredited law enforcement agencies, to determine whether Sutton violated department policies during his encounter with Davis.

Tuesday, Bibb County District Attorney David Cooke said Sutton’s actions were justified and that he will not face criminal charges.

As part of the department’s internal review of the incident, officers will consider the GBI’s investigation, he said.

During the news conference, Reichert said he instructed police not to comment on the investigation.

Had it been up to him, information about Davis’ 2010 scuffle with Kroger employees would not have been released prior to the end of the GBI probe, the mayor said.

Asked how releasing information that Sutton was responding to a 911 call at the Kroger would have impeded the investigation, Reichert said, “Once you lift the edge of the tent and let the camel’s nose in, where do you stop?”

Writer Joe Kovac Jr. contributed to this report. To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.