Public Safety and Policing

The Public Safety and Policing Series reflects the Watson Institute’s commitment to advancing public safety approaches that are evidence-informed, community-centered, and grounded in accountability. This body of work emerged from the Institute’s 2023 “Community Conversations” on youth anti-violence conducted in partnership with the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, which included six statewide convenings that brought together law enforcement leaders, justice-impacted individuals, policymakers, and community members to address the root causes of violence and strengthen coordinated responses. This foundation shaped the development of the Public Safety Series as a sustained platform for dialogue and action. The Series recognizes that public safety cannot be reduced to enforcement alone; rather, it is a shared responsibility shaped by policy, practice, lived experience, and trust between institutions and the communities they serve. 

A distinguishing feature of the Series is its intentional focus on elevating underrepresented voices. The work centers the perspectives of youth and women, while also highlighting the lived experiences of professionals in law enforcement alongside justice-impacted individuals and community leaders. Community members and practitioners are not positioned as observers, but as experts whose insights directly inform discussions on police training, accountability mechanisms, youth engagement, trauma-informed responses, and alternatives to traditional enforcement models. These conversations surface critical gaps between policy intent and on-the-ground realities, while also identifying promising practices emerging across New Jersey municipalities. 

A core priority of the Public Safety Series is translating dialogue into policy relevance. Insights generated through convenings are documented and shared with municipal leaders, legislative stakeholders, and partner organizations, ensuring that lessons learned inform broader policy conversations and decision-making processes. In this way, the Series serves as both a learning platform and a bridge between community experience and institutional action. 

Through this work, the Watson Institute continues to reinforce its role as a trusted convener in the public safety space. By centering equity, accountability, and collaboration, the Public Safety Series contributes to a growing policy environment that recognizes safety as inseparable from dignity, transparency, and community trust.  

In 2025, the Institute began to focus on analyzing the impact President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing was established by President Barack Obama.  In December 2014, the goal was to identify best practices for strengthening trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve while enhancing public safety. The Task Force developed six foundational pillars that continue to shape conversations around modern policing and community trust nationwide. 

The Six Pillars of 21st Century Policing 

1. Building Trust and Legitimacy 

This pillar emphasizes the importance of procedural justice, transparency, accountability, and respectful engagement between law enforcement and communities. It recognizes that public trust is essential for effective policing and community cooperation. 

2. Policy and Oversight 

Focuses on the development of clear policies, strong accountability systems, civilian oversight, and ethical standards. This includes guidance on use of force, bias-free policing, and data collection to improve transparency and public confidence. 

3. Technology and Social Media 

Addresses how law enforcement agencies can responsibly use technology and social media to improve communication, transparency, crime prevention, and public engagement while protecting privacy and civil liberties. 

4. Community Policing and Crime Reduction 

Encourages collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and community members to proactively address crime and improve neighborhood safety. This pillar promotes problem-solving strategies rooted in community engagement rather than enforcement alone. 

5. Training and Education 

Highlights the need for comprehensive and ongoing training for officers in areas such as de-escalation, cultural competency, implicit bias, crisis intervention, mental health response, and leadership development. 

6. Officer Wellness and Safety 

Recognizes that officer physical safety, mental health, wellness, and support systems are critical to effective policing. Healthy officers are better equipped to serve communities professionally and compassionately. 

The Task Force’s final report continues to serve as a national framework for conversations on public safety reform, police-community relations, and equitable policing practices. Many organizations, universities, municipalities, and public safety agencies continue to use these pillars to guide policy discussions, training, and community engagement initiatives. 

March 2025- Kickoff Event 

The Public Safety Series launched with a dynamic kickoff event featuring opening remarks from First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay Routolo and a keynote address by Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League. The program brought together a diverse panel of leaders across public safety, followed by a series of rotating breakout sessions facilitated by subject matter experts. These sessions created intentional spaces for dialogue, allowing participants to engage deeply with critical issues, share perspectives, and collaboratively explore solutions grounded in both policy and practice.   

July 2025 - Youth Public Safety Forum 

In July 2025, the Institute partnered with EEI and community-based organizations to convene more than 100 students for an interactive public safety forum. Centering youth voice and leadership, the event opened with a panel moderated by two Girl Scout leaders alongside a community leader from Newark. Through facilitated breakout sessions and interactive design boards, students shared their lived experiences, articulated challenges, and offered thoughtful, solution-oriented recommendations to inform more responsive and equitable public safety strategies. 

May 2026 – Her Watch: Women in Policing 

On May 2, 2026, the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research hosted Her Watch: Strength, Service, and Equity in Policing, a dynamic convening focused on advancing dialogue around women in public safety, leadership, and community-centered policing. The event brought together law enforcement professionals, violence prevention leaders, educators, students, and community stakeholders from across New Jersey for meaningful discussions on equity, trust, and public safety reform. 

Ongoing Virtual Workgroup 

The John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University continues to advance community-centered public safety initiatives through its quarterly Policing and Public Safety Virtual Workgroup. The public workgroup is open to residents, advocates, students, law enforcement, public safety professionals, policymakers, and community stakeholders interested in engaging in meaningful dialogue around public safety challenges, community trust, violence prevention, and recommendations for systems change. 

The workgroup serves as a collaborative space for participants to share perspectives, discuss emerging issues impacting communities, and explore evidence-informed strategies aligned with the principles of 21st Century Policing. Discussions focus on strengthening relationships between communities and public safety institutions while promoting equity, accountability, transparency, and long-term community wellness. 

Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. The next virtual meeting took place on May 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM. 

Participants may register for future events using the following link: 
Policing and Public Safety Virtual Workgroup Registration Form 

References: 

President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. (2015). Final report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.ojp.gov/library/publications/final-report-presidents-task-force-21st-century-policing 

Official Report Website: 
U.S. Department of Justice – Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing