Game Changer, the nation’s leading program dedicated to improving law enforcement community relations, has won a 2020 IACP Leadership Award along with the VCU Police Department. The partner agencies will be presented virtually with the 2020 IACP/SIA Michael Shanahan Leadership in Public/Private Cooperation Award during The 2020 IACP Annual Conference and Expo happening October 21-23, 2020.

IACP, formally known as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, is committed to advancing the safety of communities worldwide. Every year, the IACP honors law enforcement agencies and officers that exhibit leadership, excellence, and professionalism. The VCU Police Department and Game Changer are being presented the award for working toward improving law enforcement community relations in the Commonwealth of Virginia through in-person and virtual Game Changer events that began taking place in 2019.  The model utilizes moderated focus groups to bring together community residents, members of law enforcement, and elected officials to discuss problems and devise solutions to be implemented. 

The Game Changer/VCU Police Department partnership formed in 2019 through VCU Athletics, due to the longstanding relationship between VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin, and Game Changer Founder Sean Sheppard. The first event, which was sponsored by VCU Athletics, took place in February, 2019. That event inspired Chief Venuti to invite Game Changer to jointly apply for a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to fund several Game Changer events at VCU. They were awarded the grant in the fall of 2019. 
 
“It’s an honor to be recognized with the VCU Police Department by the preeminent law enforcement association in the world,” stated Game Changer Founder, Sean Sheppard.  “This world needs more people like VCU Police Chief John Venuti, inside and outside of law enforcement. This award reflects our shared belief that any problem can be remedied if we consistently come together. ”
 
The next virtual VCU Game Changer event will take place on September 9, 2020.
 
Game Changer was founded by Sean Sheppard M.A. and is a one-of-a-kind program that serves under the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Shep-Ty Inc. umbrella. For more information on Game Changer visit: www.gamechanger1.org

Game Changer, the nation’s leading program dedicated to improving law enforcement community relations, is thrilled to announce a new community partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers. Game Changer brings together community residents, members of law enforcement, and lawmakers for moderated discussions in order to devise solutions to be implemented within the community. The Los Angeles Lakers will host five virtual, moderated focus groups with Game Changer starting on Thursday, July 30th at 3:00 pm PST/6:00 pm EST. Each group will feature a Lakers Legend starting with Michael Cooper. Sean Sheppard, Founder of 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Shep-Ty Inc, and creator of Game Changer will moderate the series, with each group consisting of 7 members of law enforcement and 15-17 community residents. 

Members from various Los Angeles law enforcement agencies will participate in the focus group discussions along with lawmakers. One of the Nonprofit organizations that will kick off the series is youth organization 4wrd Progress, and Lakers employees will also hold a seat at the table. The goal for the event series is to come together and establish tangible solutions for the community that will eventually result in law enforcement agency policy changes, state policy changes, and the passing of legislation. Typically, after each focus group concludes, all participants sit together at a live game, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will come together virtually to watch the Los Angeles Lakers as they kick off their first game of the NBA restart. 

Said Sheppard, “The Los Angeles Lakers continue to demonstrate their level of commitment regarding the role they play in improving law enforcement/community relations in Los Angeles.  Their community track record in this area makes them the ideal Game Changer partner, during good times, or in the midst of a global pandemic.”

“The Lakers are excited to extend our community partnership with Game Changer in providing safe spaces for our community members and law enforcement to come together and discuss sensitive subject matter in our Courageous Conversation Series. We look forward to great dialogue and collaboration from all participants. The events will conclude with us watching our Lakers take to the court while we cheer them on virtually,” said Kiesha Nix, Executive Director of the Lakers Youth Foundation.

The ultimate goals for Game Changer are for community members, law enforcement, members of the judicial system, and elected officials to become better educated about one another, leading to a change in perceptions, which leads to a change in behavior, leading to an increase in peaceful outcomes between law enforcement and community residents. 

About Game Changer  Game Changer, the nation’s leading program dedicated to law enforcement community relations, and brings together community members, law enforcement, and judicial and legislative branches of government for moderated focus groups. Together, we discuss community problems, devise solutions, and put them into action. The three-hour focus groups take place before the start of collegiate and professional sporting events at sporting or concert venues on game day, and upon conclusion of the discussion, all participants enjoy the game together.