On Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch served as a presenter during the White House Frontiers Conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The event is co-hosted by the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, in a national conference to explore the future of innovation in the United States and the world.

The conference is focusing on building U.S. capacity in science, technology, and innovations, and the challenges and goals that continue to shape the 21st century.

Chief Rausch was invited to speak on the Knoxville Police Department’s participation in the White House Data Driven Justice Initiative and the Police Data Initiative.

The Data Driven Justice Initiative supports government efforts to use data driven strategies to divert low-level offenders with mental illness out of the criminal justice system. The Police Data Initiative supports efforts of local law enforcement agencies to leverage data to increase transparency and accountability and build trust within their communities. The Knoxville Police Department has been an active participant in both programs.
 
Prior to the conference, Chief Rausch said, “I am honored to have been asked to participate in the President’s Frontiers Conference and to serve as a panelist to be able to highlight the amazing work being done by the women and men of the Knoxville Police Department in collaboration with so many wonderful partners in East Tennessee and nationally. The Knoxville Police Department and the City of Knoxville are recognized as leaders in addressing the very tough issues facing our communities and we are excited to share our success and our vision of what the future of policing and criminal justice looks like for our country.”

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero emphasized the importance of the conference, and the Knoxville Police Department’s involvement in both these programs. 

“Transparency is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability,” Mayor Rogero said. “That is especially true for law enforcement and public safety. I am proud of Chief Rausch and KPD for taking the lead in joining the White House data initiative and constantly looking for innovative ways to improve operations and provide public information.”

The conference is being live streamed at http://frontiersconference.org/tracks/local, and http://www.whitehouse.gov/live.

Related blog post and information available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/10/13/growing-number-communities-are-using-data-improve-policing-and-criminal-justice.