FBI Director Comey addresses students and faculty at Georgetown University. Seated is Edward Montgomery, dean of the the university’s McCourt School of Public Policy, which co-hosted the event. Photo from FBI

FBI Director James Comey acknowledged racial bias among members of the law enforcement community in a speech on Thursday that's being described as unprecedented.

Comey referred to a series of "hard truths" about race and law enforcement. He said police officers of all backgrounds treat Whites and African-Americans differently.

YouTube: FBI Director Comey Discusses Race and Law Enforcement

"The two young black men on one side of the street look like so many others the officer has locked up," Comedy said, according to the prepared version of his remarks. "Two white men on the other side of the street—even in the same clothes—do not. The officer does not make the same association about the two white guys, whether that officer is white or black. And that drives different behavior."

After a series of high-profile racial incidents last year, Comey sought data on the number of African-Americans shot by police officers. He said the information either does not exist, or is incomplete, so he called on law enforcement agencies to keep better track of such encounters.

"Without complete and accurate data, we are left with 'ideological thunderbolts,'" Comey said. "And that helps spark unrest and distrust and does not help us get better."

Native Americans are more likely to be killed by law enforcement than any other racial or ethnic group. Image from Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice

Comey did not mention American Indians or Alaska Natives in his speech. According to a recent study, Native Americans are more likely to be killed by law enforcement than any other racial or ethnic group.

Recent incidents include the fatal shooting of Allen Locke in Rapid City, South Dakota, the fatal shooting of Mah-hi-Vist GoodBlanket in Oklahoma, and the fatal shooting of John T. Williams in Seattle, Washington.

Get the Story:
FBI director acknowledges ‘hard truths’ about racial bias in policing (The Washington Post 2/13)
F.B.I. Director Speaks Out on Race and Police Bias (The New York Times 2/13)

Some Opinions:
Jena McGregor: FBI Director James Comey’s unprecedented speech on race (The Washington Post 2/13)
Jonathan Capehart: FBI Director Comey is no ‘coward’ on race (The Washington Post 2/13)

Related Stories:
Alex Jacobs: Native men are more likely to be killed by police (1/13)