Courageous Conversations and Reimagining Public Safety

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

In August of 2020, the Prince William County Police Department and Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) began a year-long series of listening and learning exchanges titled Courageous Conversations as part of DCJS’s broader investment in community and law enforcement partnerships state-wide. The purpose of the project has been to support enhanced relationships between key community representatives and law enforcement officials based on clear and honest communication to listen and understand each other’s perspectives and goals. This was a unique opportunity to further strengthen the Police Department’s commitment to ongoing citizen and community engagement and collaboration, enhance public trust, and improve the delivery of police services to the public. As a direct result of this initiative, the focus group hosted an inaugural Community Fair on September 25, 2021. The goal of the Fair was to create another opportunity to foster lasting relationships with our diverse community by bringing together citizens and members of our agency in a safe, trusting environment. As part of the recruitment effort at the event, the Police Department utilized a “rapid hiring” process through which the initial hiring phases were completed during the event to make conditional offers of employment on-site during the Fair.