Course Description

The “Broken Windows” Theory of policing was first developed in 1982. For decades it was widely embraced by criminologists, law enforcement leaders, and elected officials as a way to understand crime and disorder. Its strategies called for a community-based approach to addressing the quality-of-life issues that plague the daily lives of citizens—particularly in low income, high crime communities. The Broken Windows approach rejects purely reactive strategies summed up as You Call, We Haul, That’s All.

In recent years, however, Broken Windows Policing has come under attack by activists and elected officials who claim that Broken Windows Policing is racially biased and violates civil rights. Is there legitimacy to these claims? Is a Broken Windows approach to policing to blame for instances of police misconduct or are those instances simply misapplications of the approach? And in a time of rising crime and disorder—as was the case when Broken Windows Policing first emerged—should we re-examine this approach to saving and improving the lives of our citizens?

In this webinar, Chief Harry P. Dolan (Ret.) will discuss what the Broken Windows Theory actually proposes, and examine the research evidence that has tested this theory. Chief Dolan will examine how both good and bad policing strategies developed from this theory and what impacts they may have had on crime and civil liberties. And, ultimately, Chief Dolan will discuss the relevance of Broken Windows Policing at a time when a de-policing or “hands off” approach seems to be failing so many of our communities.

Instructor

CEO, Dolan Consulting Group

| Chief Harry Dolan (Ret.)

Harry P. Dolan is a 32-year police veteran who served as a Chief of Police since 1987. As one of the nation's most experienced police chiefs, he brings 25 years of public safety executive experience to Dolan Consulting Group. He retired in October 2012 as Chief of Police of the Raleigh (N.C.) Police Department, an agency comprised of nearly 900 employees in America's 42nd largest city.

Chief Dolan began his law enforcement career in 1980 as a deputy sheriff in Asheville, North Carolina and served there until early 1982, when he joined the Raleigh Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer. In 1987, he was appointed Chief of Police for the N.C. Department of Human Resources Police Department, located in Black Mountain. He served as Chief of Police in Lumberton, N.C. from 1992 until 1998, when he became Chief of Police of the Grand Rapids, Michigan Police Department. He served in that capacity for nearly ten years before becoming Chief of the Raleigh Police Department in September 2007. As Chief, he raised the bar at every organization and left each in a better position to both achieve and sustain success.

Harry Dolan has lectured throughout the United States and has trained thousands of public safety professionals in the fields of Leadership & Management, Communications Skills, and Community Policing. Past participants have consistently described Chief Dolan's presentations as career changing, characterized by his sense of humor and unique ability to maintain participants' interest throughout his training sessions. Chief Dolan's demonstrated ability to connect with his clientele and deliver insightful instruction all with uncompromising principles will be of tremendous value in the private sector.

Chief Dolan's unbridled passion to achieve service-excellence is a driving force behind Dolan Consulting Group. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Before You Start

    • Consent Questions

    • Download Webinar Handout Materials
  • 2

    Webinar

    • The Truth About Broken Windows Policing | Hour 1

    • The Truth About Broken Windows Policing | Hour 2