Driving Changes in Policing: From Enforcement to Engagement

After working as a police chief in five major U.S. cities, I’ve come to understand that the most important goal of policing isn’t just to lower crime statistics – it’s to create communities where people feel safe, respected, and heard. This demands driving changes in policing at every level of a police department, from strategy and leadership to community engagement and cultural values.

Redefining the Mission: Mitigating Crime, Not Just Making Arrests

The core mission of policing should be to mitigate crime, preventing it before it occurs, rather than simply reacting to it. Arrests, while sometimes necessary, should never be the ultimate metric of success. Instead, law enforcement agencies must ask deeper questions: Are we allocating resources where they’re most needed? Are we prioritizing the people and neighborhoods most impacted by crime?

Mitigation requires a proactive, collaborative approach. It means building strong relationships with the communities served and recognizing that enforcement alone cannot address the root causes of public safety concerns. To move forward, policing leaders must understand the expectations of their communities because, in the end, public perception is public reality.

Leadership for a New Era of Policing

Leadership in this new era goes beyond command. It means being a change agent—someone who inspires and empowers others to see a different future and take the necessary steps to reach it. Strong police leaders must build a broad base of support—not only within the department but also among community members, civic leaders, and elected officials.

Cultural change in policing begins with understanding the perspective of those who do the work. Officers are on the front lines, and any initiative that doesn’t consider their role and challenges will fail to take hold. Leaders must cultivate mutual trust between officers and the communities they serve and have the courage to challenge longstanding norms when they no longer serve the public interest.

One of the most powerful ways to initiate change is by redefining what the agency values—and rewarding behavior that aligns with those values.

Cultural Transformation Through Values and Recognition

Consider an example from the Denver Police Department, where our leadership team recognized the need to change the conversation around officer-involved shootings. Instead of perpetuating the language of “good shootings,” the department shifted to focus on “justified” versus “necessary.” We asked a tough but essential question: Even if a shooting is legally justified, was it necessary? Whether it’s issuing a parking ticket or using force, decisions should be guided by both policy and purpose.

To reinforce this shift in thinking, the Denver Police Department restructured its annual awards program. Officers began receiving one of the highest honors not for discharging their weapons, but for showing restraint—when they had the legal justification to use deadly force but chose a safer, smarter alternative through training, tactics, and de-escalation. This not only honored those officers’ choices but also sent a clear message: the department values the preservation of life.

That’s how culture changes—through actions and recognition, not just policies.

Leveraging Technology as a Force Multiplier

Technology plays a powerful role in modern policing, but it must be deployed with strategy and intention. Tools like ShotSpotter’s gunshot detection system can help accelerate response time, and expedite evidence recovery, ultimately leading to arrests that mitigate future crime.

But technology alone doesn’t solve problems; how departments use it determines the outcome. The real value lies in aligning technology with goals. Departments must continually ask: Did we achieve the desired outcome with this tool? Success should be measured not by the number of arrests made, but by the number prevented through smart strategies and proactive engagement.

Driving Officer Engagement Through Recognition and Support

Officers must see the benefit of using new technologies and approaches. That means providing training, support, and perhaps most importantly, positive reinforcement. Recognize and reward officers who effectively use tools to resolve incidents safely, prevent violence, or avoid unnecessary arrests.

Transformation isn’t just about accountability—it’s about empowerment. Officers must be empowered to make decisions that reflect the best interests of both the law and the community.

Community as a Co-Author of Public Safety

True transformation in policing occurs when communities are not just consulted, but are actively involved as co-authors of the public safety strategy. Residents must feel seen and heard. They must trust that their police department is acting not only legally, but responsibly and compassionately.

By involving community stakeholders, reallocating resources thoughtfully, and leveraging both people and technology wisely, policing agencies can create safer, stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.

From Enforcers to Partners

Driving change in U.S. policing means moving beyond outdated models of enforcement and embracing a holistic, community-centered approach to safety. It’s about focusing on mitigation, valuing restraint, empowering law enforcement officers, and engaging with communities. It requires strong leadership, cultural courage, and a shared commitment to do more than reduce crime—but to elevate trust, humanity, and justice in every interaction.

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