November 21, 2024

Lodestar Center at ASU Law aims to help make systemic changes in police departments through a special project

The Lodestar Dispute Resolution Center at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is supporting policing by conducting thorough reviews of police-involved incidents and implementing systemic reforms. The project helps police departments take a step back and examine the bigger picture of what led to an incident, allowing them to make changes to prevent similar occurrences.

The center gathers and reviews documentation, body camera footage, internal reports and media coverage, among other materials, to give reviewers a comprehensive understanding of each incident. Students involved in the project participate in every stage of the review process, from analyzing files and videos to assisting with the identification of contributing factors, engaging in review meetings and drafting reports.

The review also includes a panel of community members, police officers and experts related to the incident. They discuss the police department’s policies and make recommendations for potential changes. 

The findings are presented at the police department’s Sentinel Event Review, and a public report is shared with the community.

“These reviews let the public know that the police are working to do better in order to both reduce errors and restore trust within their communities,” said Art Hinshaw, the faculty director of Lodestar.

The Lodestar Center received a $250,000 grant from the American Arbitration Association - International Centre for Dispute Resolution Foundation, which funds at least four reviews. Three of the review slots have been filled so far.

The first public review involved the Tempe Police Department (TPD) following an incident in which an African American hotel employee was held at gunpoint by a Tempe police officer. A panel of TPD representatives and community members examined the details of the incident with the hotel employee, reviewed body camera footage, listened to dispatch records and assessed the department’s policies and procedures. The panel made 41 recommendations to improve future interactions between civilians and police.

The Lodestar Center advances democracy by promoting transparency, accountability and community involvement in policing, fostering trust between the public and law enforcement. Through comprehensive reviews of police incidents and systemic reforms, the project ensures that policing practices align with democratic principles of justice and fairness.

Written by Crystal Jimenez