Title
GPD's Restorative Justice Program (B)
Explanation
GPD's Restorative Justice Program development began in September 2006 with staff attending a Best Practices conference in Missouri to understand what Restorative Justice is, the method it is delivered and the infrastructure necessary to support such a program. Gainesville faces complicated issues when contending with crime and quality of life. These issues can interfere with the security and peace of our community while at times hampering the system created to maintain peace, prevent crime, provide law enforcement services and the ability to deliver justice. Many argue the system leaves victims and the communities affected feeling like third parties with little involvement in the outcome or remedy.
Restorative Justice is a diversion program aimed at creating binding agreements between victims, offenders and community boards. These agreements place emphasis on repairing the harm to the victim and the affected community while attempting to help offenders develop the competencies necessary to not re-offend. Typically, cases referred involve first time offenders and minor crimes.
The focus on victims and our communities makes this program compatible with our policing mission and envelop all affected stakeholders in remedies. Community based resolution is responsive and prudent. It has been our experience that success in police/community initiatives is dependant upon collaboration and involvement by all stakeholders during concept development and planning.
To date, the following has occurred:
1) Staff to Best Practices Conference in September 2006;
2) Stakeholder Presentation November 2006;
3) Presentation to existing Diversion Program Coordinators March 2007;
4) Staff Research;
5) Identified the Program Planning Committee;
6) Hired Dr. Pat Grunder as our Community Relations Coordinator and Project Manager for our Restorative Justice and Center for Community Conflict Resolutio...
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