Columbia/NYPD: Executive Forum Series
Between 2016 and 2018, the Columbia/NYPD: Executive Forum Series was held on the campus of Columbia University in New York City. Influenced by recent conflicts and longstanding tensions between the New York Police Department (NYPD) and community citizens throughout the five boroughs, the purpose of the Forum Series was to convene public, private, and departmental stakeholders in an effort to deconstruct thematic problem areas and develop solutions in the form of a strategic action plan. The goal of the convenings was to re-prioritize efforts to fundamentally change the way police relate to, and function in, the communities they serve.
The Forum Series was a pro-bono learning exchange co-sponsored by Columbia’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) and Center for Justice, and co-hosted by Dean Jason Wingard and Commissioner James O'Neill. The convenings reflect SPS’ focus on bridging academic theory and professional practice to create high-quality educational and leadership development opportunities that support the goals of students, companies, and organizations around the world.
The design of the Forum consisted of three phases:
Phase 1 featured needs assessment sessions with focus groups from both the police department and community--engaging both parties in a structured dialogue that revealed differing, and often painful, perspectives, perceptions, biases, and experiences. The objective of the focus groups was to collect data that was used to develop curricula and educational resources, and inform research, on the topic of community policing. This phase was critical to developing a pedagogically sound dialogue that was informed by context and allowed for testing of academic themes and theories. Participants included:
- Leaders representing civic and community organizations including Convent Avenue Baptist Church, Grant Houses, Haynes Venture Group, Inc., Union Theological Seminary, Harlem Boys & Girls Club, Street Corner Resources, Community Board 9 Manhattan, West Harlem Development Corporation, Exalt Youth, Center for Nu Leadership, Center for Institutional and Social Change, Hostos Community College/Bronx Corridors to College, and Future Now; and
- Heads of each of the NYPD fraternal organizations including Guardians Association (African American), Asian Jade (Asian), Emerald Society (Irish American), Gay Officer Action League (LGBTQ), Hispanic Society, Korean American Officer Association, Muslim Officer Society, Police Officer for Christ (non-denominational Christian), Policewoman's Endowment Association, Pulaski Association (Polish), Shomrim Society (Jewish), and Steuben Association (German or Austrian).
Phase 2 consisted of three all-day sessions for NYPD’s top-35 deputies. The purpose of the sessions was to engage the senior leadership team in a facilitated dialogue informed for the aforementioned focus groups. Specifically, the content focussed on the following questions: What is the unvarnished police “scorecard” as perceived by the served community? How can police/community relations be improved through knowledge sharing, partnership development, and policy changes? What are transparent metrics for success and impact? Session content was focussed on the following topics:
- Diagnosing the Leadership Context
- Culture, Identity, and Leadership
- Black/Brown/White Relations
- Systemic Racism’s Impact on Culture
- Black Trauma Narratives
- Setting Priorities for Transformational Culture
- History Matters
- Socialization, Bias, and Race in Policing
Instruction and facilitation for both phases of the Forum Series was provided by a curated group of thought leaders who helped participants 1) understand the historical context, 2) listen to, “hear,” and understand current tensions and concerns, 3) challenge assumptions, and 4) brainstorm solutions for productive change. Faculty and industry speakers included:
- Dr. Jason Wingard, Dean and Professor, School of Professional Studies, Columbia University
- Dr. Geraldine Downey, Professor, Psychology, Columbia University
- Dr. Valerie Purdie-Greenway, Professor, Psychology, Columbia University
- Dr. Rebecca Heino, Senior Lecturer, Strategic Communication, Columbia University
- Dr. Todd Jick, Senior Lecturer, Business, Columbia University
- Kathleen O’Toole, Chief of Police, Seattle
- Brucer Mosler, Chairman of Global Brokerage, Cushman & Wakefield
- Reginald Butler, CEO, Performance Paradigm
- Kayhan Irani, Facilitator, Artivista
- Jim McShane, Vice President for Public Safety, Columbia University
Phase 3 Following the Forum Series, Dean Wingard and Commissioner O’Neill discussed lessons learned and implications for future programming as part of a special Talks@Columbia video production: New Policing Strategies in Times of Racial Divide.
When asked what they learned, participant comments included:
"Admiration and respect for the intelligence and thoughtfulness of my fellow executives. The degree to which I live in a largely white world [is now clearer to me]. The sense, imparted chiefly by Commissioner O'Neill, that each of us has a personal responsibility as executives in the PD to move our progressive agenda forward."
Another participant commented:
"Commitment of the Department to change is now; I have a better understanding of the experiences of the people I work with and the ability to communicate racial issues better."
