CPE and The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center are hosting a joint series of Learning Communities for Policing Alternatives, with participants from 21 jurisdictions, from Amherst, MA to Sacramento, CA, from Redmond, WA to Huntsville, AL.
CPE's 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.
Designed to support stakeholders working to establish more equitable public safety systems, the Learning Communities are structured to assist interdisciplinary teams seeking to implement alternatives to policing, and each centers on a different area of concern:
Crisis Systems
Enhancing crisis system alternatives through public health and community-centered approaches.
Policing Alternatives to Traffic Safety
Building traffic safety systems that are less reliant on police enforcement and deliver safety for everyone on the road.
Community Violence Intervention
Creating and supporting community violence intervention programs as alternatives to law enforcement.
School-Based Diversion
Enhancing school-based diversion through public health and youth-centered approaches.
Each Learning Community consists of five modules that build on each other to support participants in implementing emergent best practices and documenting the process and outcomes of their efforts. Participants receive peer-to-peer support and guidance from national experts, as well as practical guidance and troubleshooting from technical assistance providers.
How To Join
Interdisciplinary teams in localities of all sizes are invited to register their interest in joining a future Learning Community cohort. Teams applying to participate should include at minimum: a data coordinator, a representative from a traditional first response (e.g., fire, law enforcement, or EMS), and a representative of the sector that will implement the alternative intervention (e.g., behavioral health for crisis systems, education department for school safety, etc.). Examples of team members include:
- A person having lived experience with behavioral health or crisis systems
- An executive-level representative at a behavioral health agency
- A supervisor or coordinator with experience in violence interruption in school settings
- An administrator with experience in managing transportation infrastructure
- A local elected official
Contact CPE to learn more about our Learning Communities or other opportunities to receive assistance in piloting alternatives to law enforcement in your community.
Submission of this interest form is not confirmation of participation in a future Learning Community cohort. CPE will follow up with all interested participants following the completion of this form.