Organizers of law enforcement conference want to improve community engagement

May 5th, 2023

The Professionalizing Law Enforcement-Community Engagement Training (PLECET) Conference, held in Atlanta May 3-6, 2023, is an annual specialized training, networking, and professional development conference for sworn and non-sworn personnel assigned to community engagement roles within law enforcement agencies across the nation.

Law enforcement agencies from all 50 states gathered in downtown Atlanta this week for the National Professional Law Enforcement-Community Engagement Training Conference.

The conference aims to explore how community policing can be implemented to restore trust and address racial tensions in communities across the country.

Reverend Markel Hutchins, president and CEO of social justice advocacy group MovementForward, emphasized that community engagement is not just about hosting events, but should drive every level of public safety.

Hutchins joined WABE’s “All Things Considered” along with Thomasville Police Chief John Letteney, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The conference featured sessions led by nonprofits and law enforcement agencies to discuss topics such as homelessness, substance abuse, and policy issues regarding the LGBTQ+ community.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.