Over the next several series, the International Association of Chiefs of Police will recognize the 2019 IACP Leadership Award Winners. These agencies and individuals have made meaningful contributions to their communities and the policing profession. Their achievements are representative of the incredible leadership displayed by police organizations across the globe.

This post will focus on emerging issues. Awards given in the Emerging Issues category recognize those who are leading law enforcement into the future by working to address the challenges presented by a constantly evolving world. Awards honor those working in fields such as research, public information, and technology. 

IACP Leadership in Public Information Management Award 

The IACP Leadership in Public Information Management Award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual public information officer and their ability to effectively disseminate information to the public. Special consideration will be given to nominees who demonstrate innovative use of social media and successful informative management during a critical incident.

Carissa Katekaru 
North Richland Hills, Texas, Police Department  

In 2017, the North Richland Hills Police Department selected Carissa Katekaru to fill the newly formed media coordinator position. She has since addressed the agency’s communication challenges and formulated a new and innovative approach to communication by blending both traditional and social media strategies. Ms. Katekaru took several strategic steps to build important traditional and social media networks, showing all aspects of local law enforcement. Fundamental to this change was presenting information quickly, accurately, and in an unbiased way. Aside from up-to-the-minute reports on community incidents and interest pieces, Ms. Katekaru artfully crafted several media stories showing police officers as real people. One video in particular, “The Sound of Silence,” achieved over two million views on YouTube and was featured by U.S. national media.

IACP/Arnold Ventures Leadership in Law Enforcement Research Award 

The IACP/Arnold Ventures Leadership in Law Enforcement Research Award recognizes law enforcement agencies that demonstrate excellence in conducting and using research to improve police operations and public safety. The goal of this award is to promote the establishment of effective partnerships among law enforcement agencies and researchers. Learn more about Arnold Ventures.

Gulfport, Mississippi, Police Department 
University of Southern Mississippi  

Since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of Gulfport, Mississippi, the Gulfport Police Department (GPD) has experienced recruitment challenges. GPD began questioning how the agency would sustain its workforce and called for a more proactive and studied approach to recruitment. GPD initiated a partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Criminal Justice to examine officer recruitment and retention. Meetings were held and designed to strengthen researcher-practitioner partnerships between the university and local police leaders. The goal was to infuse the university’s criminal justice program with officers within the courses. Conversely, students from the university participated in newly formed internships and job-shadowing experiences, which allowed students and police officers to form professional relationships for a realistic job preview. The GPD and USM quickly developed a “clinical partnership” where students could see the material they were studying come to life in the form of policy and process. The students gained mentors and GPD command staff gained an advocate as USM referred students who could assist with research and evaluation.

Watch the video.