WHITE HOUSE—
President Barack Obama is honoring five slain police officers during a memorial in Dallas, as he also works to unite a nation deeply divided on the question of race relations between law enforcement and the minority communities they serve.
A black sniper shot and killed the police officers last week during a peaceful rally to protest the shooting deaths of black citizens by law enforcement officers in Louisiana and Minnesota.
Obama is attending the memorial along with Vice President Joe Biden and his predecessor, former President George W. Bush.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the president will “reaffirm his support for police officers” and focus on the “outstanding” work they do on behalf of the American people each day.
WATCH: Obama heads to Dallas, Texas
During the service, the U.S. leader will focus on the heroic and “outstanding" work police do on behalf of the American people each day, said Earnest before the memorial on Tuesday.
The spokesman said the president believes America must both fully support police officers and acknowledge “the reality of racial disparities” that exist in America. Earnest added that Obama also believes “our country is not nearly as divided as the rhetoric on the campaign trail.”
The White House said the president is interested in comforting people across the nation after emotionally charged events in recent days, including the separate shooting deaths in Baton Rouge and St. Paul.
"These are legitimate concerns raised by all sides of the issues," said Earnest. "The president is interested in trying to push that conversation into concrete action.
Protests
The fatal shootings were captured on video and sparked protests across the nation and charges that white police officers unfairly target minorities.
On Wednesday, Obama will meet with law enforcement officials, civil rights leaders, activists, academics and political leaders from across the country to discuss ways to restore trust in communities where tension exists between law enforcement officials and residents they are sworn to protect.
In Dallas on Monday, more than 1,000 people attended a candlelight vigil where Police Chief David Brown compared officers to super heroes.
"Give us a job to do, we'll focus on accomplishing the mission. So what's our mission today? It's helping these families understand how to conquer this tragedy," he said.
Shooter had no criminal record
Investigators are looking into the background of sniper Micah Johnson, an Army reserve veteran who died when police used a robot armed with explosives against him.
"We're convinced that this suspect had other plans, and thought that what he was doing was righteous and believed that he was going to target law enforcement, make us pay for what he saw as law enforcement's efforts to punish people of color," Brown said.
Bomb making materials and a rambling journal were found at Johnson's home during a search.
U.S. law enforcement officials said Johnson did not have a criminal record.
Johnson left Afghanistan when a fellow soldier brought sexual harassment charges against him, saying he needed mental health counseling.
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