Allentown, Pa. (March 24, 2021) – Building on a\u00a0national\u00a0movement to recognize the benefits of data-driven, research-based outcomes related to the practice of policing in our communities, Cedar Crest College,\u00a0the City of Allentown,\u00a0Pa., and\u00a0the Allentown Police Department\u00a0are entering into a new collaborative partnership.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0partnership\u00a0will include the creation of\u00a0the Center for Police Innovation and Community Engagement\u00a0in Allentown, according to\u00a0Mayor Ray O\u2019Connell. \u201cThe City of Allentown, the Allentown Police Department and Cedar Crest College have strong histories of community partnerships, community outreach and an interest in better serving the communities we represent,\u201d says O\u2019Connell. \u201cEach has agreed to enter a partnership and create the Center for Police Innovation and Community Engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Center\u00a0aims\u00a0to evaluate and support police practices in four areas: police strategy and practice;\u00a0community outreach;\u00a0police organization;\u00a0and the transferability of nationally recognized police interventions. Through the sharing of data and the development of progressive measurement strategies,\u00a0the college and city are attempting to implement practices that enhance the quality of life for city residents.<\/p>\n
The partnership will\u00a0allow police administrators access to the evaluative tools and scholars\u00a0capable\u00a0of\u00a0assisting the advancement of\u00a0best practices to improve local policing.\u00a0\u201cAssessment, evaluation, and the effective development of police practices cannot occur in a vacuum and we must seek to expand our resources by partnering with agencies that possess the skills to assist in better understanding the roles policing and community engagement have in our community,\u201d says\u00a0Glenn Granitz, Jr., Chief\u00a0of\u00a0Allentown\u00a0Police.<\/p>\n
Through this cooperative partnership the city, its police department, and Cedar Crest College recognize the value in building stronger communities through collaboration, cooperation and support. All three elements are represented\u00a0in this new collaboration\u00a0and each will be used as the cornerstone of the projects undertaken.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsing our aligned missions and motivated by the current trends in service to the community and higher education, an opportunity exists to address a national imperative that stresses the importance of collaboration, cooperation, and support,\u201d says Elizabeth\u00a0M.\u00a0Meade,\u00a0PhD,\u00a0President of Cedar Crest College.<\/p>\n
As part of this partnership, the city and police department\u00a0will\u00a0work with the researchers at Cedar Crest College to create a priority list of projects and initiatives from which the assessment work will be selected.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0College is committing student internship resources (graduate and undergraduate) to the Department to assist in developing more detailed crime analysis services.\u00a0Cedar Crest\u00a0will\u00a0also\u00a0offer its campus facilities for\u00a0several annual police\u00a0training events, as part of the\u00a0new collaborative\u00a0partnership.
\nA ceremonial signing event will take place on\u00a0Wednesday,\u00a0March 24 at 11 a.m.\u00a0in Alumnae Hall on Cedar Crest College\u2019s campus in Allentown, Pa.<\/p>\n
Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest College was selected as a \u201cTop Regional College\u201d and a \u201cBest Value\u201d in U.S. News & World Report\u2019s Best Colleges rankings from 2012-2019 and a \u201cBest College for Veterans\u201d in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. In addition, the College was recognized as a 2018-2019 College of Distinction, and the School of Adult and Graduate Education was ranked a Top 25 school for non-traditional students by Best College Reviews in 2017. Cedar Crest was ranked by College Choice as the number twelve best women\u2019s college in 2016. Founded in 1867, Cedar Crest currently enrolls approximately 1,500 students\u2014full-time, part-time and graduate\u2014in more than 50 fields of study.<\/p>\n
Information provided to TVL by:
\nMike Moore
\nCommunications Manager
\nMayor’s Office
\n 435 Hamilton Street
\n Allentown, PA 18101
\n Mike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
\nhttp:\/\/www.AllentownPA.gov
\n <\/p>\n
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Allentown, Pa. (March 24, 2021) – Building on a\u00a0national\u00a0movement to recognize the benefits of data-driven, research-based outcomes related to the practice of policing in our communities, Cedar Crest College,\u00a0the City … Continue reading New Collaborative Partnership Announced to Apply Data-Driven Research to Support, Improve Local Policing<\/span>