NCJ Number
206306
Date Published
December 2003
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This report presents the background, the process, and the outcomes of a 2002 summit that focused on strategies and actions to improve communication between law enforcement and the many diverse communities within Washington State.
Abstract
Against the background of conflict between the Sheriff's Department and the minority community of King County, WA, in August 2002 a representative of law enforcement and the minority community in King County met with leadership from the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) to plan a summit that would involve the leadership of law enforcement and diverse communities throughout the State. A NCPC team designed a 2-day summit that used the facilitation model of Appreciative Inquiry (AI). AI is a new and creative process that focuses on healing divisions. Rather than focusing on problems, the AI facilitation process encourages participants to learn from what has "worked right" in the past. AI focuses on participants' positive experiences in their efforts to solve complex issues. Prior to the summit, the NCPC team interviewed community leaders about the racial and cultural divide. Interviews involved 37 organizations and groups and 180 individuals. The structured interviews reflected the AI process of identifying what has worked right in interactions between law enforcement and particular community-based organizations. Four themes for the summit emerged from the interviews: reconciliation, trust, justice, and leadership and service. At the summit, topic keynote addresses were presented, followed by 15 table groups composed of summit participants, which produced 54 recommendations for action grouped under the 4 themes of the summit. All 54 recommendation are presented in this report; however, the highest ranked recommendation is as follows: "Identify and establish strategies that help develop meaningful relationships between law enforcement officers and indigenous community leaders and community-based organizations prior to the onset of a crisis." In response to this recommendation a NCPC team member facilitated the creation of the Washington State Working Group, a multidisciplinary and multicounty coalition charged with leading change efforts. The Working Group met monthly between May and October 2003. It reviewed the recommendations of the summit; mobilized other leaders, constituency groups, institutional support, and financial resources from all sectors; and emerged as a model team of leaders who would deliver institutional change. In interaction with 35 leaders who represented various counties in the State, the Working Group led in the development of cooperative projects. This report cites various changes that have resulted. 10 notes and a summit agenda