HomeIssuesPolice-Community Relations

Police-Community Relations

Strengthening community-police relations through large-scale dialogue and collaborative action.

On this page: Related Tools and Related Stories

Poor relations between community members and police can lead to feelings of distrust, anger and fear. Citizens may think the police are prejudiced and have unfair policies. Police may feel blame for all kinds of social problems, and think they don't get credit for doing their jobs.

Dialogue-to-change programs help people build the trusting relationships necessary for long-term change. People from diverse backgrounds and experiences develop trust, understand each others' experiences, and work together on solutions.

Tools

Discussion Guide: Protecting Communities, Serving the Public: Police and residents building relationships to work together
2000
A five-session discussion guide designed to help communities bring police and residents together to build trust and respect, develop better ...

Video: New Haven, Conn., residents make progress in creating a "culture of dialogue"
2010
Community Mediation, Inc., took the lead on a city-wide effort aimed to create a “culture of dialogue,” neighborhood by neighborhood ...

Video: Hopkinsville, Ky., residents make strides in improving police-community relations
2010
After receiving an action grant through the Communities Creating Racial Equity initiative, participants in the Hop-Town Our Town program decided ...

Video: Stratford, Conn., residents address racial equity issues in policing, education, and town leadership
2010
In 2006, following the arrest of two African Americans—a teenager and a town councilman, Stratford, Conn., launched community-wide dialogues on ...

Newsletter: Focus on Everyday Democracy (Fall 2009)
Volume 20, Issue 2, 2009
Peek inside this issue of Focus on Everyday Democracy to learn how South Bronx, N.Y., is bringing the ...

View all 8 tools

Stories

News Article: Building trust in a divided community
Now that the dust has settled from allegations of racial discrimination by four police officers in East Haven, Conn., several groups are working to establish trust across racial lines. "Many places don't have an understanding of what it takes to build a relationship across the divide," said Martha McCoy. "People have to connect before they can actually do something."

News Article: "Study circles" a safe space to make progress on tough issues
More policy changes may be underway for the Fayetteville, N.C., police department as residents participate in "study circles" to address concerns about racial profiling. "People don't like to talk about race, and this is a safe place to do that and have some real progress on the issues."

Success Story: Hopkinsville, Ky., residents address community-police relations
As part of the Communities Creating Racial Equity initiative, residents of Hopkinsville, Ky., came together to address racial tensions between townspeople and public safety officials.

Success Story: Project Dialogue to Action works to increase public awareness of racial inequities
Project Dialogue to Action has been working in Jacksonville, Fla., for more than 10 years to address racial inequities in a variety of areas including economic development, housing, and the criminal justice system. It is one of eight communities that took part in the Communities Creating Racial Equity initiative.

Success Story: Lynchburg, Va., residents address racism and racial equity
Many Voices - One Community was launched in Lynchburg, Va., as part of the Communities Creating Racial Equity initiative to address issues of racism and racial equity in their increasingly diverse city. The project has led to a partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, better relationships with police officers and students, and study circles in middle schools.

Podcast: Building community in the wake of violence
In response to the recent beating death of a teenager in Chicago, Lisa Sharon Harper of South Bronx Community Conversations shares what lessons she’s learned about building community in the wake of tragic violence. Listen to her podcast interview.

View all 29 stories

Issues

Find ways to make progress on...

New! Issue Guide Exchange
Related Pages
Find a program