Facilitate Community-Police Trust Circles
Description
Conduct facilitated discussion circles between community stakeholders and APD officers to build trust and improve police-community relations.
Why is This Important
Lasting trust between police and community is built through real conversation and shared experience. These structured dialogues give officers and residents the opportunity to build relationships, surface concerns, and find common ground in a safe setting.
Initiative Wins
Completed the first cohort of APD-clergy peace circles in 2025 moderated by Project Ujima.
Piloted a Reverse Ride Along in 2025, with APD cadets visiting East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation to engage with staff and community members.
Impact Spotlight
What We’ve Done This Quarter
Reviewed Project Ujima's best-practice report from the first peace circle cohort.
Applied for grant funding to support additional peace circle cohorts in 2026.
Integrated peace circles into the program design for new Reverse Ride Along program.
What We’re Working on Next Quarter
Launching the 2026 Reverse Ride Along program, which brings new APD cadets to site visits with non-profit organizations and concludes with a peace circle facilitated by Project Ujima.