The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and CNA convened the inaugural meeting for the Phase VI Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) sites in Boston, MA from June 29 to 30, 2015. This meeting provided an opportunity for site participants to gather as a community of practice to discuss important issues pertaining to Smart Policing, such as challenges and lessons learned during project implementation, research partnerships, analytics and evidence-based policing, community engagement, technology, and sustainability of innovations. In attendance were 54 people, including representatives from 10 SPI sites (all Phase VI sites and two additional “mature” sites), as well as BJA; CNA; SPI Subject Matter Experts (SMEs); and special guests/speakers, including Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, BJA Director Denise O’Donnell, U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, and Office of Justice Programs Senior Advisor Edward Chung.
This meeting provided an opportunity for site participants to gather as a community of practice to discuss important issues pertaining to Smart Policing, such as challenges and lessons learned during project implementation, research partnerships, analytics and evidence-based policing, community engagement, technology, and sustainability of innovations. Site participants had the chance to learn about SPI principles, exchange ideas with other sites, and learn new strategies for outreach, collaboration, and sustainability. Attendees heard case studies from the Boston, Kansas City, Miami, Toledo, and Portland SPI sites. Participants also learned about police-community collaboration, smart technology, and “busted myths” in criminology.
