RTI International's Center for Policing Research and Investigative Sciences is hosting their sixth policing symposium virtually on February 11, 2021, and this year's theme is Data Driven Reform in Policing. This year's event will be co-sponsored by the North Carolina Justice Academy. The intended audience includes law enforcement, first responders, policy makers, other criminal justice and public health professionals, and researchers. The symposium will focus on how law enforcement agencies can leverage data to inform various reform efforts within their organization including alternative models for crisis response, use of force, community engagement, and hiring and recruitment practices.
Event Recording and Presentation Slides
View all of the event recordings and access the presentation slides.
Event Agenda
12:00 - 12:15 p.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
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12:15 - 2:00 p.m. |
Match the Resource with the Need: Reexamining the Role of Police
This panel will focus on city-level programs for addressing complex societal problems related to mental health and substance abuse crisis response as well as a collaborative effort between researchers and local jurisdictions called the “Cohort of Cities Initiative” which seeks to establish a data-driven platform for assessing the demand for police services and the potential need for alternatives. |
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. |
Police Use of Force: Triangulating Data, Community Perspectives, and Training
This panel will focus on the importance of utilizing data to inform community engagement and law enforcement use of force policy and training. Panelists will discuss how to implement evidence-based reform on both the state and local level including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Center for the Reduction of Law Enforcement Use of Force. |
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. |
Roundtable Discussion: The Role of Police Recruitment and Community Engagement Programs in Building Stronger Relationships Between Police and Communities
This session will focus on law enforcement recruiting and hiring programs and strategies as well as community-oriented programs designed to strengthen relationships and communications with diverse communities. The session will include an overview from RTI researchers on the current body of research on these topics which will be followed by a roundtable discussion from attendees on what they have seen in the fields and practice needs for research. |
5:00 p.m. |
Closing Remarks - Kevin Strom, RTI |