Over the past year, Bishop Victor Brown has played a special role, serving as a spiritual advisor for the family of Eric Garner. He's the Senior Pastor at Mount Sinai United Christian Church in the Tompkinsville neighborhood on Staten Island. It's about six blocks from the site where Garner was placed in a police chokehold and later died.

Brown told WNYC that Garner's family has committed to making sure his death will not be in vain.

"In Eric Garner passing, it has brought about a growing attention to the issue of the need for reform," Brown said. "It's an issue not just relegated to Staten Island or New York, but it is an issue that has now been taken up by police departments across this nation."

Brown said Garner's death means there will be a restart to relations between the NYPD and communities of color and gave kudos to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton for their renewed engagement with community policing.

"We did not get into a state of distrust overnight and I think we would be embracing an illusion to think it can change overnight," Brown said.

To listen to Brown's interview with WNYC's Soterios Johnson, click the audio player.