A Washington State University research program developed in partnership with the Pullman Police Department has been recognized for its trailblazing approach.
The Research Fellowship Program, a collaboration between David Makin, a professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins, was among the efforts highlighted by this year’s Smart 50 Awards.
The Smart 50 Awards, in partnership with Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connection Foundation and US Ignite, honors the most innovative and influential work happening globally. Winners will be recognized as part of an awards gala later this fall.
The goal of the program is to connect doctoral student with law enforcement in pursuit of analysis that is applicable to small police departments. WSU’s involvement represents its continued commitment to the land grant mission of conducting research that addresses real-world issues.
Pullman PD has already seen dividends from this program, including having a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis done for a new municipal building as well as research briefs prepared on evidence-based practices associated with domestic violence. The first six months of the program also allowed for the assessment of a traffic camera system and a grant proposal to the National Institute of Justice to examine the use and effectiveness of de-escalation within police-citizen interactions.
