Launched in partnership with The Council for State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, CPE's Elected Leaders Council brings together state and local elected officials nationwide and helps participants work collaboratively to develop strategies to enact and sustain reforms, fund initiatives, and receive support, including help identifying validators to help support initiatives in their communities. The council’s work culminates with assistance in introducing innovative public safety policies in their respective jurisdictions.
The alternative policing strategies developed by the Elected Leaders Council parallel the community-led efforts emerging from CPE and the CSG Justice Center’s Learning Communities for Policing Alternatives. Our involvement in this vital effort is part of our community empowerment program, Unlocking Democracy, a suite of community-centered resources rooted in the understanding that government of, by, and for the people rests on a foundation of shared responsibility, mutual trust, and bedrock safety.
Applications are now open! Our Fall 2023 cohort sessions will focus on topics related to police traffic reform, including Consent Search Reform, Ending Low-Level Traffic Stops, Non-Police Traffic Enforcement, and Police Stop Data Transparency. Learn more about Elected Leaders Council eligibility, requirements, and how to join below.
Upcoming Council Sessions
Non-Police Traffic EnforcementOverview of the ongoing effort to pilot an alternative response model for traffic safety in Berkeley, CA and how their pursuit of more immediate reforms—like ending non-safety stops by police—fit into this long-term strategy. Session Date |
Ending Low-Level Traffic StopsOverview of the various legislative strategies taken by municipalities and states to end police enforcement of non-safety related stops, upcoming campaigns, and polling results that can help elected officials effectively communicate about these laws. Session Date |
Police Stop Data TransparencyShowcase of the three different jurisdictions that have passed, or are in the process of passing, legislation to mandate traffic stop data collection by police, which can be a critical step in enacting traffic-related policy changes. Session Date |
Consent Search ReformExploration of the efforts to restrict a tool used to conduct many pretextual and non-safety related stops—consent searches—from the perspectives of a former chief of police and advocates seeking to implement this reform as part of their traffic reform efforts. Session Date |
HOW TO JOIN
Elected officials and staff members of elected officials are invited to apply to join our Elected Leaders Council. Interested participants must be dedicated to listening deeply, working collaboratively with others, and cultivating peer-to-peer learnings based on trust, justice, and equity.
Participating members should be willing to reflect on what they hear during the council meetings and share this feedback with their community. Members are encouraged, but not required to, participate in all Elected Leaders Council sessions and will be asked to contribute, collaborate, and help advise on legislative strategies that will be widely shared as we continue to build local, state, and federal support for alternative programs to traditional policing nationwide.
Contact us to learn more about our Elected Leaders Council or other opportunities to receive assistance in piloting alternatives to law enforcement in your community.
Submission of this application form is not confirmation of participation in a future Elected Leaders Council cohort. CPE will follow up with all interested participants following the completion of this form. You can also learn more about the CSG Justice Center's alternative response work here.
See what participants are saying about their experience with the Elected Leaders Council:
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" I'm proud to be part of the Elected Leaders Council to connect with peers who are driving alternative response work in our communities. This initiative will help plant the seeds for new approaches to public safety that I plan to bring to my work in my district. " – Phara Souffrant Forrest, New York State Assemblymember |
" Our office was humbled to present and honored to meet similar-minded elected officials. When crafting Driving Equality in Philadelphia—the success came from the ability to collaborate with partners across the city. With Elected Leaders Council, we are excited to join in a similarly collaborative and equity-focused process with partners across the country. " – Max Weisman, Communications Director for Philadelphia Councilmember Isaiah Thomas |
" The Elected Leaders Council is an innovative way to connect and share ideas for true public safety with elected officials from across the country. The program uses a community-centered approach and will help plant the seeds for tangible reform. " – Crystal Hudson, New York City Councilmember |