Blazing Paths and Bridging Gaps in Police- Community Relations

• In Event: Policing Inside Out: HBCUs in the DMV Unite Around Transformative Education and Innovative Community Policing

Abstract

Since its inception in 2015, Policing Inside Out has blazed unimaginable paths and has bridged gaps in police community relations across the United States. From its inaugural cohort of police chiefs and university students at Howard University (HU)-Washington, DC, to its five-cohort (2018 – 2022) partnership between Coppin State University (CSU) and Morgan State University (MSU)- both in Baltimore, MD, with students, community members and law enforcement officers from near and far, Policing Inside Out has been an agent of change. Program outcomes include, the communities’ perceptions of law enforcement having improved, law enforcement’s perceptions of the community having improved and college students gaining a broader understanding of the inner workings of law enforcement agencies and the people who work within those police departments. This presentation aims to provide insight into the Policing Inside-Out journey, current and future policy implications as well as opportunities for further development/outreach globally. Specifically, the focus will be on Coppin State University and the strategies used to implement this innovative course on the CSU campus. For example, working with departmental curriculum committees, promoting and marketing the course to current students, partnering with local HBCUs, engaging community members and selecting law enforcement participants.

Author

• Jacqueline Rhoden-Trader, Coppin State University