In this episode, The Den dives into a discussion about the realities of community policing. Community policing focuses on forming partnerships and implementing problem-solving techniques to address public safety issues. But does this philosophy actually impact the communities themselves and their crime rates? 

The panel agrees that community engagement is crucial for building trust and fostering collaboration between the police and the public. But they acknowledge that some police chiefs resist change, making it challenging to implement effective community policing strategies. They offer ideas for overcoming this behavior, suggest ways for chiefs to embrace roles outside their department, and unpack the difficulties of measuring engagement or broader issues. 

Plus, Harold shares a story that illustrates the importance of community involvement in shaping the standards for their neighborhoods and establishing valuable relationships between police and the community.

Topics Covered:

• The importance of building relationships before crises happen
• How leaders can model effective community engagement 
• Why police departments have to make real investments in the communities 
• The need for chiefs to step out of their comfort zones and engage with the community, even in challenging situations 
• Shifting from a confrontational to a collaborative relationship between police and their neighborhoods

Resources:

• From Handshakes To Hashtags
• Connect with Kevin Brooks on LinkedIn
• thegroup Theory, Inc. 
• NC Ceed Board of Directors

Learn More:

• IDEA Analytics Website
• IDEA Analytics LinkedIn