On Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 6 – 8 p.m., a panel discussion will be held in the Lakeside Theatre on the campus of NOVA Woodbridge to examine how local law enforcement can engage citizens in healthy, positive approaches, centered around five best practices that foster community and promote the dignity of human life.
Using local, regional and national frameworks, the conversation aims to:
• Raise awareness of the Prince William County Police Department as a leading model of best practices.
• Reinforce bridges of communication, respect and trust between the community and police. • Share relevant information on the latest research, policies, programs and advocacy initiatives.
• Cultivate greater community understanding and investment in local public safety measures. Panelists: • Dora Muhammad, Founder, The AWARE Project
• Leandro Pena, Detective, Prince William County Police Department • Lawrie Parker, Director, Prince William County Restorative Justice Program
• George Fachner, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, U.S. Department of Justice • Noor Mir, Field Researcher and Organizer, Amnesty International USA Free. Limited Seating. Free Parking in B Lots only.
Registration required at: www.respectforlife-novawoodbridge.eventbrite.com
About Dora Muhammad: After traveling to Ferguson during the height of unrest and police-community tension, Dora Muhammad took her experience and examined the parallels but also the distinctions with Prince William County, and then through the lens of human rights, created a framework of five best practices that impact these issues.
Conversations with the PWC Police Eastern District Police Commander about her documentary helped her learn that the county works to implement all five practices. The district commander granted her permission to schedule a series of ride-alongs over the summer to document local police-community relations. This experience and research created a unique dimension to her documentary by lifting the model of law enforcement upheld by PWC officers.
