Game Changer and Los Angeles County Sheriff Department (LASD) Receive COPS Micro-Grant
Federal Grant Allows Game Changer to Provide Law Enforcement/Community Relations Program to
Jointly Train LASD Deputies and Los Angeles Residents
LOS ANGELES (December 4, 2023) –Game Changer has received its 2nd Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant, the latest, through a partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) the nation’s largest sheriff’s department. The 12 month grant will be used to train hundreds of LASD deputies and thousands of Los Angeles community residents, and will allow LASD deputies to earn California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) continuing education units in Community Engagement and Building Trust.
Game Changer and LASD jointly applied for the federal funds in early 2023, as the department began putting a premium on community engagement and building community trust under newly elected Sheriff, Robert Luna. With an emphasis on training LASD deputies, the grant allows personnel from other law enforcement agencies throughout the state to be trained through Game Changer and earn California POST continuing education units as well.
Game Changer Training Event #146 at LA Kings Headquarters in El Segundo, CA
Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Undersheriff, April Tardy explained the nature of the partnership with Game Changer by stating, “ Sheriff Luna and our executive team realize the importance of community engagement. I had the pleasure of meeting Sean Sheppard, who presented the Game Changers program to me in 2020. I loved the concept of law enforcement and the community, sitting in a room together, having a conversation where they could address community perceptions of law enforcement, provide deputies an opportunity to speak openly with our residents, and realize we share the same goals – making the department and our communities better.”
LASD personnel and other participating members of California law enforcement will earn 4 hours of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) continuing education units in Community Engagement/Building Trust. Participating Corrections and Probation officers will earn 3-5 hours of Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) continuing education units in Community Policing and Communication through Experiential Knowledge Acquisition. The training events also provide an opportunity for members of the general public to receive training and insight into the concerns, objectives and priorities of law enforcement professionals.
Since December 2016, Game Changer has conducted 146 in-person and virtual training events in 10 different states and Canada. A total of 2,619 community residents and members of law enforcement have participated in the training events, including 57 unique law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels.
For more information on Game Changer and future events please visit www.GameChanger1.org
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