Police Leadership Academy Uses Improv to Foster Better Communication and Community Engagement
Chicago, IL — In an innovative approach to law enforcement training, a unique collaboration is taking place at the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Policing Leadership Academy. Over three dozen police captains from various departments across the nation recently gathered to participate in an unconventional training session that combined comedy with crucial leadership skills.
Improv Meets Law Enforcement
Facilitated by members of The Second City, a renowned improvisational theater in Chicago, the training utilized improvisation exercises to enhance communication, listening, and adaptability in challenging situations. One exercise required participants to form sentences using the last word spoken by their partner, resulting in both humorous exchanges and valuable insights.
“There’s a critical difference between hearing and listening,” explained Kelly Leonard, Vice President of Creative Strategy at The Second City. “People often stop listening too soon, which can lead to missing essential information.”
This focus on active listening and open communication is pivotal, as research indicates that district captains significantly influence their officers’ morale and effectiveness.
Addressing Urgent Community Needs
The training initiative is also a response to rising gun violence in communities, as the academy is specifically targeting departments grappling with high crime rates. “We aim to address community engagement, officer wellness, and crime reduction simultaneously, without compromising one for the other,” stated Kim Smith, Director of Programs at the Crime Lab.
So far, about 130 leaders from nearly 70 different police departments, including both local and tribal forces, have participated in this intensive five-month program.
Real-World Impact
Capt. Louis Higginson of the Philadelphia Police Department remarked on the newfound perspectives he gained, particularly regarding cultural shifts within his department. “We must reconsider longstanding practices and explore new ways to engage with our community,” he stated.
Albuquerque Police Commander Ray Del Greco stressed the importance of humility in leadership, saying, “Being able to push your ego aside and truly listen is invaluable in addressing community issues.”
Sustaining Change
The academy’s program includes post-training communication channels, encouraging captains to support one another and implement projects that address specific community concerns. Examples include initiatives that engage residents in crime prevention strategies and innovative wellness programs for officers.
Stephen Donohue, a captain from the San Jose Police Department, is developing an early intervention system focused on officer mental health—a proactive approach to managing on-duty trauma.
Looking Ahead
With plans to gather scientific data to gauge the effectiveness of their training, academy leaders aspire to expand their reach. Meredith Stricker, Executive Director of the academy, emphasized the importance of rigorous testing to substantiate their methods: “We want to create better leaders and improve policing overall.”
As police departments face mounting challenges, this creative approach to leadership training may ultimately reshape the future of law enforcement, promoting healthier community relations and more effective policing strategies.
Focuses on crime, public safety, and regional events.
Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.