Recap of the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference

Every year, the COPS Office takes part in the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. It is an opportune time to reach out to mayors, city managers, council members, and other city officials to discuss the new priorities and initiatives the COPS Office is undertaking, as well as take part in speaking roles at the conference itself. This year, COPS Office Director Ron Davis had the opportunity to speak for the first time as the office’s new director to the NLC attendees. COPS Office External Affairs staff also had the opportunity to be a part of the annual Federal Agency Round Robin to discuss and answer questions regarding COPS Office grants for 2014, alongside other government agencies.

On Saturday, March 8, Director Davis spoke at the National League of Cities University Seminar: Fostering Positive Police–Community Public Relations. He, alongside the chief of police of Anne Arundel County (MD) Police Department Kevin Davis, and deputy chief of Alexandria (VA) Police Department Cleveland Spruill, spoke to how city leaders can foster positive relationships between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. The session was moderated by the president and CEO of Hope Matters, John “Jack” Calhoun.

National League of Cities On Monday, March 10, the External Affairs Division of the COPS Office was able to participate in the annual Federal Agency Round Robin. As one of 25 federal agencies in attendance, the COPS Office spoke to attendees interested in the office’s grant funding opportunities, priorities for the year, and knowledge resources that the COPS Office could offer. Each facilitated discussion at the COPS Office table lasted 20 minutes—allowing staff to answer questions and discuss how the COPS Office resources could help local governments, specifically regarding law enforcement—before the next group of interested participants came to join the table for the next round.

The COPS Office participation in local conferences hosted by important law enforcement stakeholder groups helps keep the 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 in regard to the advancement of community policing. Being involved in the Congressional City Conference is a great example of this, and the COPS Office is eager to continue closely working with the National League of Cities as we move ahead in 2014.

Danielle Ouellette
Staff Writer
COPS Office

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