Recap of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Sheriffs’ Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association, and Major County Sheriffs’ Association Winter Conferences
Each year, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) takes part in several winter conferences and meetings in Washington, D.C., including the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) winter meeting, the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) winter conference, and the joint meeting between the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) and the Major County Sheriffs’ Association (MCSA). These winter conferences are a great opportunity for the COPS Office to reach out to elected leaders, sheriffs, and chiefs to discuss what new priorities and initiatives the COPS Office has under way. This year, COPS Office Director Ronald L. Davis was able to participate and deliver remarks at several events, including a plenary session and several committee meetings. The COPS Office also had resource tables at both the USCM and NSA conferences to provide attendees with valuable resources and upcoming grant information.
On Thursday, January 22, Director Davis spoke at the USCM breakfast plenary on the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Director Davis spoke alongside task force co-chairs Commissioner Charles Ramsey of the Philadelphia Police Department and Professor Laurie Robinson of George Mason University. They were able to share information about the task force, highlighting the important work being done as well as giving updates on the public listening sessions.
On Friday, January 23, Director Davis then spoke at two NSA committee meetings. First, he addressed the Governmental Affairs Committee regarding the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing and welcomed questions and comments from their group regarding its purpose. Later in the day, he spoke to the Youth Programs and Juvenile Justice Committee on the COPS Office initiatives and grant programs for 2015.
The following week, on Monday, January 26, Director Davis gave remarks alongside Commissioner Ramsey and Professor Robinson to the joint meeting of the MCCA and the MCSA on the purpose of the Presidents’ Task Force on 21st Century Policing. As with his previous engagements, Director Davis and the co-chairs allowed the group of chiefs and sheriffs from across the country to ask questions and make recommendations for the task force members to consider.
COPS Office participation in local conferences hosted by important law enforcement stakeholder groups helps keep the COPS Office connected to what is important to the many local governments and police departments in our nation. In return, the COPS Office is able to respond by letting these groups know what our focus areas are and what we hope to accomplish with regard to the advancement of community policing. Being involved in the USCM and NSA and joint meetings of MCCA and MCSA are all great examples of this, and the COPS Office is eager to continue to closely work with these stakeholders as we move ahead in 2015.
Danielle Ouellette
Intergovernmental and Public Liaison Specialist, COPS Office
March Photo Contest Winner | Stopping Violence | National Network for Safe Communities | Recap of Winter Conferences | 2015 Sutin Award Open