A Vermont Guide to Community Engagement with Local Police Departments

Excessive use of force by police on people of color, leading to death, trauma, and community distrust, remains a widespread issue. To address this, this guide recommends establishing civilian oversight of law enforcement to ensure accountability and equitable treatment. It emphasizes engaging community groups to evaluate police practices and foster trust. Key strategies include leadership accountability models, bias awareness, de-escalation training, performance reviews, transparent data collection, and robust community involvement.