CPD rolls out new community policing programAndy Grimmon June 4, 2021 at 5:46 pm

“This will be the most significant commitment of effort, resources and leadership to building trust in CPD history,” Supt. David Brown said.

Chicago Police Supt. David Brown on Friday announced a “transformative” new approach to community policing for the nation’s second-largest police department.

The department will expand its community policing program into three additional districts to cover the entirety of the city’s South and West sides, and create officer liaisons to make outreach with marginalized groups including immigrants, homeless and LGBTQ community, and will direct all officers to create positive interactions with community members ranging from “problem-solving conversations” to coaching youth sports.

“Today, we are taking a big swing at community policing and community engagement, and building trust. This will be the most significant commitment of effort, resources and leadership to building trust in CPD history,” Brown said at a news conference at CPD headquarters.

“This plan is the best way to reduce crime in Chicago …. CPD has never been this aggressive with community policing. This is a transformative moment for CPD.”

The department has had a community policing program since the 1990s rollout of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy and has redoubled efforts at community outreach since falling under a federal consent decree in 2019.

The department will create new community liaisons, and the news conference included a surprise promotion for Commander Angel Narvalez, who has led the community policing program since last year. Narvalez was sworn in as a deputy chief of community policing.

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