NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

2/16/2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -Northwestern State University will host a four-day Leadership Cadre Conference sponsored by the Louisiana Community Policing Institute Feb. 21-24.

The Louisiana Community Policing Institute (LCPI) is headquartered at LSU-Shreveport. Harold Ledford of LSU-Shreveport is program director. NSU Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Joe Morris is a program coordinator.

Representatives of law enforcement agencies and community leaders from throughout the state will take part in the conference.

The Louisiana Community Policing Institute's mission is to build partnerships between law enforcement agencies, academic institutions and community organizations to facilitate the implementation of community oriented policing.

"Police cannot do the entire job by themselves," said Morris. "The community has to be involved as the eyes and ears of the police. Working as partners they can accomplish more. Community policing is a key to making a difference in a community."

LCPI plans to start the process of implementing the assessment of the state of community policing in Many beginning in March.

Morris said Louisiana is among the first states in the nation to put the assessment of community policing into effect following the lead of the Western Regional Institute for Community Oriented Public Safety, a five-state organization based in Washington.

The Leadership Cadre includes experienced law enforcement executives, managers, elected and appointed officials and community members who provide assistance with the implementation of community policing. The group is available to consult with local chiefs of police and sheriffs as they implement the assessment of community policing.

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