Providence Police Department and Roger Williams University co-host 23rd Annual Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Conference

Providence Police Department and Roger Williams University co-host 23rd Annual Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Conference where law enforcement agencies from around the globe gather to discuss best practices

PROVIDENCE, RI-From October 22-24, the Providence Police Department and Roger Williams University's School of Justice Studies hosted the 23rd Annual Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Conference at the Westin Hotel, Providence. This international conference, sponsored by the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, is supported by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in the US Department of Justice. Problem-Oriented Policing was coined by University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Herman Goldstein who is considered the 'father' of Problem-Oriented Policing. This policing strategy involves the identification and analysis of specific crime and disorder problems in order to develop effective response strategies coupled with ongoing assessment. This strategy places more emphasis on research and analysis as well as crime prevention and the engagement of public and private organizations in the reductions of community problems.

Each year police officers, police chiefs, crime analysts, and crime researchers come together to discuss what they have learned about reducing a range of crime and safety problems. Conference sessions were of varying sizes and used different formats so participants can choose the type of learning environment that works best for them. This year there is an expected 450-500 police officers, command staff, and researchers from the US, UK, Australia, Norway, Bermuda, and Brazil. The annual POP Conference is often described by attendees as the most substantive policing conference they've ever attended.

Leading up to the POP Conference, the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing sponsors an international competition to identify the top problem-solving projects of the year. These are presented at the conference and attendees help in judging the winning project for the Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing. One of the six finalists for this award was Providence Police Lieutenant Dean Isabella who presented on his work in the Manton and Hartford housing developments to reduce juvenile crime. Lieutenant Isabella presented with Sorrel Devine, Director of Resident Services at the Providence Housing Authority and Special Assistant Attorney General James Baum. The winner of the Goldstein Award was from New South Wales Australia who presented on Police Initiatives to Investigate and Prevent ATM Physical Attacks.

"Hosting the POP Conference is a great opportunity for international law enforcement to share and build on the success from abroad. There are fascinating approaches from law enforcement around the world and we are proud that Providence Police Lieutenant Dean Isabella was in the running for the Herman Goldstein Award which recognizes innovative and effective POP projects that are making positive impacts in their community," said Colonel Clements. "Policing in our communities is a constant challenge and this is a conference where leaders in our field can walk away feeling energized about the future of crime and safety problems."

Speakers at the conference were Mayor Angel Taveras, Colonel Hugh Clements, Michael Scott; POP Director, Joshua Ederheimer; Deputy Director at the USDOJ COPS Office, Donald Farish; President of Roger Williams University, and keynote speaker Malcolm Sparrow; Professor of the Practice of Management at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.