| LEAP Board Chair Deputy Chief Wayne Harris (Ret.) is a passionate advocate for bringing police and their communities together, building on his experience as a deputy chief charged with strengthening relationships with his local community. Here, he explains the critical nature of the issue: | | | | | LEAP: From your perspective as law enforcement, why is police-community relations, particularly in communities of color, such an important issue right now? | | | | | | |
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Wayne: Police-community relations establish the foundation for successful public safety and community health. It is critically important for community policing and the development of strategies to address quality-of-life concerns. LEAP: What is the most encouraging thing you observed in 2021 on the issue of police/community relations? Wayne: I found it encouraging that, following the unrest that resulted from the murder of George Floyd, communities began to examine policing and work toward improving police services in the United States and abroad. LEAP: What do you believe makes LEAP the right organization to make an impact on police/community relations? Wayne: LEAP is active across the globe, working on best practices in policing. We recognize the common realities facing police and communities everywhere, and we can influence police-community relations operationally, theoretically, and legislatively. |
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