Any public sector initiative is only as good as the community support it gets. But rallying the community is easier said than done. This course aims to provide pointers on how to effectively summon the citizenry’s buy-in and solidify initiatives that aims for effective of law enforcement and governance.

To talk about community coordinated response is Chris Jones. Chris is a Training Specialist with the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center. He teaches and provides consultation services on numerous law enforcement and organizational development topics including domestic violence, leadership, emergency management, and instructor development.

Points discussed on this webinar include:

• Community Engagement – what it is and what it can accomplish.
• The Coordinated Community Response – what it is, its composition, and the typical law enforcement issues CCRs are created for.
• Initiating the creation of a Coordinated Community Response team through research, due diligence, and a methodical approach.
• Developing the team
  • Identifying the stakeholders – from the primary response units and the support and ancillary teams to the community representation of all affected segments.
  • Details to consider to ensure that the team will remain active and engaged through a mission-vision statement, leadership structure, consistent communication, and inter-disciplinary training.
  • Drafting a confidentiality agreement to protect sensitive information shared within the team.
• Identifying and prioritizing areas for action by:
  • Reviewing existing processes, establishing best practices, and collecting and analyzing data.
  • Reaching out to experts and the community through social media, surveys, or town hall meetings to communicate and gather information
  • Prioritizing based on identified problems and finding solutions.
• Drafting a plan of action based on the SMART model particularly highlighting the steps to take, identifying the roles and responsibilities of team members and adhering to a realistic timeline.
• Developing protocols based on the mission and vision statement that encompasses training, response and referral procedures, and confidentiality.
• Ensuring the sustainability of the initiative through team building and engagement, progress and accomplishment tracking, and continuous recruitment.
• A case study of how the High Point Police Department utilized the CCR approach in its Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative (OFDVI).
  • The goal they set and the action plan they executed to address domestic violence repeat offenders.
  • The methodical approach taken by categorizing offenders and the response for each type.
  • The positive outcomes of the program as seen in reduced rates of intimate partner domestic violence-related homicide and recidivism.

Chris clarified audience concerns on:

• The scope or the issue that the CCR is expected to focus on.
• The applicability of CCRs for child welfare.
• Using lethality assessments and getting buy-in from leadership..
• Factoring in the link between animal abuse and domestic violence and getting representations for animal welfare into the CCR team.

Audience Comments

• “I’m not LEO, but a probation officer, but the information provided could be used for other agencies outside of LEO.” — Ronna
• “Great resource link, love the practical steps at the end.” — Nicoya
• “Great webinar! I took so much away, however just the facts and order of how to get everything implemented was of great help. Chris has so much knowledge.” — Kellie
• “This webinar was far from the typical CCR. I liked his stance on including more than the criminal justice system. We are trying to implement something similar that is more culturally specific but on the same line. He has so much experience on the subject, I would like to hear from him again. Maybe something on the line of law enforcement collaborative initiatives to create safer communities.” — Kim
• “The author was very well-versed on his subject. Well done!” — Kimberly
• “Very helpful webinar.” — Karen
• “The importance of including citizens and communities when developing policies and procedures related to policing techniques. Great topic!” — Kelsey