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Effective policing isn’t just about enforcing laws; it’s about building trust and cooperation with the community. Yet in some communities, there’s a lack of confidence or even mistrust toward the police.
In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley explores how proactive community engagement can transform police-community relations. He is joined by Dr. Rachel Santos and Dr. Roberto Santos, researchers from the Department of Justice and professors at Radford University in Virginia, who discuss their recent publication “Operationalizing Proactive Community Engagement,” which offers actionable strategies for police departments to improve their interactions with communities.
Operationalizing Proactive Community Engagement: A framework for police organizations by epraetorian on Scribd
About our sponsor
This episode of the Policing Matters Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.
Key takeaways
- Consistency and sincerity: Community engagement requires ongoing, genuine efforts from all levels of a police department, not just isolated events or actions.
- Clear goals: Establishing specific, focused goals for community engagement helps officers understand their role and the impact of their efforts.
- Inclusive approach: Engaging various community stakeholders, including critics, can provide a more comprehensive perspective and foster better relationships.
- Leveraging technology: While technology can aid in communication and crime prevention, it should complement, not replace, human interactions.
- Holistic engagement: Effective community engagement involves the entire police organization, from line officers to top leadership, and should be integrated into daily operations.
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