The Community Police Relations (CPR) project has been in high gear in recent weeks, taking the project into the public realm and inviting others to join us. On Saturday, June 22nd, CPR put on a forum at the Union Grove Baptist Church in Frayser, hosted by Rangeline CDC.
The two-hour forum kicked off with an introduction by community leader, Cherisse Scott, and Lieutenant Mike Embrey, of the Memphis Police Department. Next,Playback Memphis asked CPR participants to describe their experience as part of this groundbreaking project. Other audience members were invited to share their own personal experiences with community and police relations. The improvisational theater group then acted out the stories that were shared, bringing to life the emotions, complexity, and issues embedded therein. At the conclusion of the forum, attendees divided into three groups and outlined their view of the problems, proposed solutions, and potential challenges to improved community-police relations.
The long-term nature of the CPR project, the staunch support it receives from the administrations of Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the commitment to developing an Action Plan that addresses lasting systemic change differentiate CPR from many previous efforts to solve difficulties between community members and law enforcement. In the coming months, CPR will hold similar forums all over the city, gathering insights shared by community members and law enforcement participants which will be developed into recommendations toward achieving Community and Police Reconciliation.
The Community-Police core group looks forward to working with your communities as we ask the question “What is your vision for Community Police Relations where you live?”
Members from each community visited will be invited to participate in the process leading up to the development of an action plan, based on the community’s need.