Harper hosts Ten Shared Principles dialogue about policing

Harper College hosted a Ten Shared Principles dialogue on February 22 at the college’s Palatine campus. The Harper College Police Department and the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion invited Harper students, faculty, staff and administrators to participate in an open discussion about policing, with the goal of bridging gaps of mistrust between law enforcement and marginalized communities.

Approximately 45 individuals attended the dialogue, which is a component of Harper Police’s adoption of the Ten Shared Principles. Joining the event were representatives from the NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP), who worked together to create these principles in 2018 to build better relationships between police and communities of color.

“I signed an agreement to adopt the Ten Shared Principles on my second day as Harper’s Chief of Police in 2021, because I recognize how important it is to bring communities together, make space for an open dialogue and find common ground,” said Chief John Lawson. “Our Ten Shared Principles Dialogue was an outstanding event that showed the commitment of Harper’s police, students and employees to strengthen our understanding and respect for each other.”

These principles, which are posted on the Harper Police webpage, focus on tenets including supporting diversity in policing, valuing the dignity of all people, endorsing the fairness of procedural justice and building community partnerships. The NAACP and ILACP have been partnering for nearly a decade, not only to establish the Ten Shared Principles, but to help bring together law enforcement agencies and communities across Illinois.

“The Ten Shared Principles have opened important, non-threatening communications between police and communities of color,” said Robert Moore, chair of the NAACP Criminal Justice Committee and a retired U.S. Marshal. “Harper College’s participation in hosting this trust-building training will enhance the NAACP and Illinois Chiefs’ efforts in reaching more communities in Illinois.”

Indeed, the list of principles has been adopted not only by Illinois police departments, but by government bodies, nonprofit organizations, corporations and more. The groups behind the initiative believe that law enforcement and community leaders have a mutual responsibility to encourage all citizens to gain a better understanding and knowledge of the law to assist them in their interactions with law enforcement officers. The Ten Shared Principles, now trademarked, continue to foster dialogue sessions, such as the one at Harper.  

“The Ten Shared Principles continue to bring success to departments and communities across the state. Seeing so many people from a variety of backgrounds come together at Harper College for such an important discussion shows just how important these shared principles are to all,” said AJ Bailey, ILACP deputy director. “The future is bright when we work together! Shared responsibility will lead to shared accountability.”

Chief Lawson said he was so impressed by Harper’s dialogue that he is considering hosting a follow-up event on campus that would also be open to the public.

For more information, visit ILACP’s Ten Shared Principles webpage.