The nation’s premiere law enforcement/community relations behavior change model will begin deploying grant funds received in 2020 from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS), in partnership with the La Mesa Police Department, to conduct in-person and virtual Game Changer training events. The federal grant dollars will allow for exposure between law enforcement agencies in some of the largest cities in the United States, the residents of those cities, and elected officials, to engage in respectful, informative dialogue to discuss problems and devise solutions for implementation through Game Changer training events.
Until recently, COVID-19 has prevented the 4.5-year-old model from conducting in-person operations, which typically feature training members of law enforcement and community residents through moderated focus groups that occur three hours before the start of collegiate and professional sporting events.
COPS funding will cover the cost of five (5) training events, including in-person events with the LA Galaxy (MLS) and the LA Sparks (WNBA).
For more information on Game Changer please visit: GameChanger1.org
About COPS
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing.