Core Values & DEI

 

Diversity & Proximity:

 

Communities deserve police who embody a deep understanding of culture and context. Proximity and experience with community issues build legitimacy and trust.

“Law enforcement agencies should strive to create a workforce that contains a broad range of diversity including race, gender, language, life experience, and cultural background to improve understanding and effectiveness in dealing with all communities.” – Recommendation 1.8 Final Report of Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing  

 

Community & Trust:

Police are advocates for and members of the communities they serve. Community culture and context serve as the foundation upon which police policy and practice are built.

“Law enforcement agencies should evaluate officers on their efforts to engage members of the community and the partnerships they build.” - Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing

Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness

At New Blue, we aspire to lead the American Criminal Justice system’s orientation to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Police violence happens disproportionately along lines of race, class, and most often occurs across lines of difference. Communities deserve representative police leaders who embody a deep understanding of culture and context and can advocate for needs unique to their communities.

Therefore, re-imagining the current Criminal Justice System will require a representative coalition of decision-makers who come from all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, political views, and other intersectional aspects of identity. Concurrently, we know that our work must be led by the members of the communities most directly impacted by police violence. Progress is only possible when each of us works effectively across lines of difference—with the community, members of the judicial system, and police decision-makers. In striving to grow as individuals who lead with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, we focus on:

  • Understanding of self as well as self in relation to others. Policing is a profound act of leadership and power. Police officers have a clear line of sight into the systems that promote and hinder communities, making them well-positioned to advocate for and lead positive change. Understanding this dynamic, as well as the history of the law enforcement system, is a prerequisite to building relationships, trust, and legitimacy.

  • Co-production with the community. Police officers must become advocates for and members of the communities they serve. Community culture and context should serve as the foundation upon which police policy and practice are built. Acting as a model for police departments, New Blue is constructed by and for the communities it serves. The voices of community members informed our fellowship curriculum and they select our Fellows.

New Blue is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. New Blue makes all hiring and employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, parental status, disability, HIV status, or military service.