CALEA will participate in the session: How Effective Local Government and Police Leadership Relations Enhance Public Safety Strategies

As cities around the country work toward enhancing public safety and decreasing violent crime, police departments are often tasked with the creation of strategic plans that will accomplish both of these goals. However, one of the most effective, yet often overlooked, means for achieving these goals is a strong relationship between the city manager’s office and the police department. The relationship between a city manager and police chief is crucial in creating and supporting public safety strategies that incorporate community assets for prevention and intervention of crime while also building the capacity of the police department to work in partnership with the community toward shared public safety goals.

The most effective public safety strategies are those in which law enforcement and the community they serve stand and act together to enhance the safety of the community through prevention, intervention and enforcement strategies. While identified strategies will be unique to each community, they will be underpinned by community trust and police legitimacy and data-informed decision making.

City managers play a critical role in facilitating public safety strategies in their communities by providing resources throughout the entire city organization aimed at enhancing public safety and by creating connections between the police department and community leaders. By facilitating these resources and relationships in coordination with their police departments, city managers help build the capacity of their police departments while also ensuring that the strategies enacted are effective and supported by the broader community.