PHILADELPHIA—The City’s Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation, in collaboration with the Office of Public Engagement, today announced its upcoming Community Engagement series, which will support collaborative dialogue on police reform. The first session, Circles of Truths, will feature a two-hour facilitated virtual conversation and is scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2020, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation Community Engagement Series was organized in the wake of the tragic killing of Walter Wallace, Jr. and will focus on building a framework that strengthens police-community relations and imagines a more equitable future for all Philadelphia residents, regardless of race, ability, or background. The Circles of Truths opening session aims to provide a supportive environment for grief, listening, sharing, and openly addressing and repairing harm. Moving forward, the series will focus on fostering relationships, community building, and the continued development of public safety and policing reforms.
Along with members of the public, Mayor Jim Kenney, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, DBHIDS leadership, a group of Philadelphia Police Officers, other elected officials, and trauma-informed staff will participate.
“The City of Philadelphia is facing a defining moment on issues of race-based violence and policing. We’ve seen the collective anger and frustration that this incident and others across the country have caused,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “These frustrations are not just a reaction to separate instances over time; they are the painful culmination of generations of systemic injustices that continue to traumatize our Black communities today. In my administration’s and the Philadelphia Police Department’s efforts to make meaningful changes, moving forward will require actively listening to the community and centering the experiences of those who have been treated in a manner that fall short of our city’s ideals.”
This series is a single component of the City and Philadelphia Police Department’s response to the tragic shooting of Mr. Wallace. On November 4, the Department of Behavioral Health and disAbility Services (DBHIDS) announced with the Police Department an expanded collaboration on several operational reforms to mental health-related protocol and policies. Through regular monthly events, and transparency on reforms’ implementation and progress, this series will place an emphasis on firmly hearing the voices, and stories, that have gone unheard. With involvement throughout the City’s departments, offices, and institutions, it will place profound importance in moving forward together, as a city and as a community.
“As Police Commissioner, I believe that to effectively review our Department’s policies, update its protocols, and implement necessary reforms both internally and externally, there must be a continued engagement and relationship with those who we work to serve. In this time of transformation, our ultimate shared goal of increasing public safety starts with the community,” said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. “The Philadelphia Police Department looks forward to a continued partnership with our City agencies to reassure our community by holding necessary dialogue with residents across neighborhoods.”
The November 30 Circles of Truths event will be facilitated by Reverend Naomi Washington Leapheart, Director for the Office of Public Engagement’s Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs, and Randy Duque, Deputy Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. In several breakout sessions, participants will be given the opportunity to share their experiences, thoughts, and aspirations for the future of Philadelphia’s public safety.
“In our work to address social injustices and incite vital change, thoughtfully engaging with our communities is a crucial step in regaining trust, increasing accountability, and collectively envisioning an equitable future for all of Philadelphia’s residents,” said Ajeenah Amir, Director of the Office of Public Engagement. “As we support the City and PPD in reimagining public safety and policing, we are committed to providing spaces for community healing, collaboration, and tangible action.”
The Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation is an effort that began in June as part of the City’s response to widespread activism around police brutality and race-based disparities across the city and country. This initiative is supported by a Steering Committee of diverse civic, faith, and business leaders. The committee supports the City in strengthening relationships with communities through transparency and accountability. The Steering Committee has three subcommittees: police reform, inclusive economy, and community engagement. The community engagement subcommittee, as it facilitated previous public events on police reform in the summer and fall, will continue in its capacity to support this initiative.
Members of the public are encouraged to participate by registering at this link.
Members of the press should not register as participants and will not be permitted to pose questions during the event as this session is intended for community members only. However, the session will be broadcast live on the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement Facebook page and can be viewed by any member of the press or public there.
For updates on the series, please sign up for the Pathways newsletter here.
For more information, events, and progress on the Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation efforts, visit its website.