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Press Release
Press Release
October 3 through October 9 is recognized as National Community Policing Week in the United States. During this week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio encourages residents and law enforcement to recommit to building relationships and increasing trust between law enforcement and those they serve.
Community policing is the practice of law enforcement professionals working side-by-side with members of their communities to keep neighborhoods safe. This strategy is a critical and proven tool used by law enforcement agencies across the United States to improve public safety and forge strong, valuable relationships. A successful community policing plan recognizes the role that both community members and law enforcement officers play in advancing public safety.
In Cleveland, the Department of Justice and the City of Cleveland entered into an agreement to, among other objectives, implement a community and problem-oriented policing plan. This plan relies upon partnerships between law enforcement and the community to proactively address public safety issues. All members of the Cleveland Division of Police are responsible for engaging in community and problem-oriented policing to strengthen the bonds between the community and law enforcement.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is asking law enforcement agencies and all community members to commemorate the week by recognizing similar ways to improve public safety, build trust and strengthen community relationships.
To support community policing efforts, the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) announced over $33 million in funding to advance the practice of community policing in law enforcement, including a $250,000 grant to the City of Cleveland for the implementation of Crisis Intervention Teams. Community Policing Development (CPD) program funds are used to support promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.
Additionally, to commemorate Community Policing Week, The COPS Office announced the launch of the eighth annual “Community Policing in Action” Photo Contest. The contest, piloted in 2014, has received widespread support from law enforcement for providing a platform that visually demonstrates community policing and emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships with community members.
The COPS Office will select 12 winning photos to be featured on the COPS Office website and its Twitter and Facebook headers for one month during the 2022 calendar year. The winners will also be featured in the COPS Office newsletter, the Community Policing Dispatch, as well as in a COPS Office-issued press release.
The submission deadline is Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at 8 PM ET.
For more information about the COPS office, grant opportunities and the photo contest, visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/
Daniel Ball Daniel.Ball@usdoj.gov