The Bridge Summit Connects U.S. Police Chiefs to Create New Community Engagement Model and Police Professionalism Denver Police Chief Robert C. White Among Discussion
Phoenix, AZ (BlackNews.com) – On Sept. 10, police chiefs from seven cities across the U.S. convened in Phoenix to discuss developing a new model for community engagement and police professionalism. The discussion took place as part of The Bridge Summit: Connecting Community Engagement with Police Professionalism. The event took place on the heels of community demonstrations in several cities sparked by officer-involved shootings. Participating police chiefs included: •Chief Joseph Yahner - Phoenix, Arizona •Chief Calvin D. Williams Cleveland, Ohio •Chief Robert C. White - Denver, Colorado •Deputy Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis Atlanta, Georgia •Deputy Chief Danielle Outlaw Oakland, California •Assistant Chief Perry Tarrant Seattle, Washington Lonnie Lawrence, a retired MiamiDade Police major and former director of the Miami-Dade Corrections Department served as a panelist. Major General (Ret.) James “Spiderâ€? Marks, executive dean for the College of Security and Criminal Justice at the University of Phoenix and CNN military analyst, served as the event’s host. During the summit, the panel of law enforcement officials and experts explored and developed best practices that address conscious and unconscious biases contributing to the dynamics of community engagement and perception of police officers in the community. The goal is that these practices will form the foundation for increased understanding and improved relations. Over 150 local Public Officials and Community Leaders representing every possible constituent participated in the Summit and explored opportunities to engage their communities with law enforcement leaders. The community leaders participated in developing best practices for communications, protocol, community engagement and police professionalism.
The University of Phoenix assisted with research and compiling the data generated from the forum, and provided insight on possible training and education opportunities supporting the event’s outcomes. The summit was an invitation-only event and was presented by the Black
Chamber of Arizona CEO & President, Kerwin V. Brown and Checkered Flag Run Foundation Founder, Alan AP Powell, whose mission is investing in education to ensure every student gets to cross the finish line. Editor’s note: The Checkered Flag Run Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to provide diverse educational programs that impact underserved students. The Foundation strives to deliver programs like the Bridge Summit out of its desire to teach, educate and innovate with investments in human talent and have a direct bearing on future economic prosperity and quality of life.
Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – October 2015
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