The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), in partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), recently released a new resource, the Bridging the Trust Gap Between Law Enforcement and Communities of Color Toolkit. The online toolkit identifies challenges that law enforcement agencies and communities of color often face and offers proven strategies for success in overcoming those challenges and developing communities of trust. It is intended to be a resource for law enforcement at all levels – from patrol officers to law enforcement executives – as well as for community members seeking guidance on ways to engage their local law enforcement.
The toolkit is divided into four sections:
- Policing for Progress: This section includes examples of initiatives championed by law enforcement agencies in an effort to build and maintain community trust.
- Bridging the Trust Gap - Critical Tasks and Responsibilities: This section provides concrete steps for executive- and command-level officers, frontline officers, and community stakeholders to promote communication, partnership, and trust.
- Sample Community Surveys: This section offers law enforcement-driven questionnaires used to determine the condition of the community, evaluate future needs, and collect information about the public’s perception of law enforcement.
- IACP and COPS Office Resources: This section lists available guides, reports, and other tools.
To access the COPS Office press release, please click here.
To access the toolkit, please click here.