Community Relations

During this reporting period, IIR received approval from DOJ to proceed with hosting the Hate Crimes Grantee Conference that was held on September 23-25, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama. More than 250 participants attended the 2½-day conference, which was comprised of multiple plenary sessions as well as more than 22 breakout sessions for Shepard/Byrd, Emmett Till, Collaborative Approaches, and Community-based Approaches grantees representing community-based organizations and law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies from around the country.

In September 2024, the Lab supported representatives from the Knoxville Police Department to attend the Annual Problem-Oriented Policing Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland.

Second virtual meeting of the Steering Committee was hosted on September 10, 2024. During this meeting the Knowledge Lab renewed vision was discussed, and feedback on this renewed vision was received.

On December 11th the Law Enforcement Knowledge Lab held a companion roundtable to the "Collaborating for Community Safety: Supporting Communities for Effective Engagement with Law Enforcement" listening session. However, instead of hearing from community members and advocates, we heard from law enforcement leaders who are particularly successful at engaging and partnering with the communities they serve.

The Knowledge Lab coordinated and assisted the Cleveland Police Department in a multi-day peer-to-peer site visit to the Baltimore Police Department.

Special Services for Groups collaborated with the Los Angeles PD to discuss overlapping training priorities and opportunities for joint community engagements.

During the reporting period, PSP received approval from DOJ to proceed with hosting the

Two Aurora PSP site representatives and one Rochester representative attended the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) 2024 Public Safety Symposium. This symposium convened a diverse group of those involved in public safety efforts around the country, including police, prosecutors, community supervision, crime analysts, researchers, community members, and criminal justice practitioners. During the 4-day symposium, attendees discussed innovative public safety initiatives, evidence-based violence reduction practices, and other contemporary criminal justice topics.

Representatives from the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) visited the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) on November 12–13, 2024, to learn about strategies for reducing violent crime within the unhoused population. The LVMPD showcased its multifaceted approach, emphasizing the role of the Behavioral Health Unit. The LVMPD reported a remarkable 7% recidivism rate among those who participate in these services.

Fargo, North Dakota contacted CHJ looking for resources on grant funding and collaborating with their local county jail administrator and states attorney on working on some deflection and reentry work. Calls were held 9/12 and 10/15 with representatives from the Fargo public health department and the Cass County State's Attorney's office.