JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary Statement

Essential Functions

• Coordinate efforts to advance the next step in legislative reforms around transparency and accountability for police misconduct. This will require hitting the ground running this fall to lay the groundwork for bill introduction in Jan/Feb.
• Build a strong coalition, starting with existing groups/initiatives that have worked on police
  reform.
• Develop positive relationships with potential partners and decision-makers including elected officials and those in law enforcement
• Partner with Community Organizers to incorporate, center and uplift voices from impacted communities, including doing community outreach events.
• Research successful reforms/models from other jurisdictions around the country.  
• Monitor disclosures authorized under recently passed legislation.  
• Facilitate discussions among various stakeholders to brainstorm possible initiatives and then establish prioritized goals. Scope for initial consideration is broad, such as:
  •  Data collection/transparency/retention initiatives (including body cam)
  • Reducing number of committee positions legislatively mandated to be officers, or
  • appointed by officers. ex. SENTAC, SLEAF.
  • Criminalize Blue silence: Add crime regarding officer failure to report violent misconduct, and increase penalty for an officer’s tampering with evidence.
  • State Cause of action for Civil rights violations NOT subject to qualified immunity.
  • Replace police officers with civilian trained responders to address 911 calls related to behavioral and mental health crisis. Implement pre-arrest diversion programs.
  • Police training/focus initiatives (e.g. Newark, NJ de-escalation program)
  • Recruit/educate/support candidates for police academies
• Develop a plan with timelines, resources, and deliverables, including a press and social media strategy and campaign webpage and outreach toolkit.
• Keep track of the development and efforts of police accountability committees created through DE HB 206.
• Organize a lobby day/action day at the Delaware General Assembly.
• Manage the implementation of the plan using strong communication and influence skills, recognizing that this position has no authority over the various partners.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher in Public Administration, Communications, Public Policy or related field.
• Experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Experience in public relations or media relations to establish and promote a positive image and inform or influence specific audiences through the use of internal and external communications such as public forums, print or electronic media, speech writing, writing/editing, marketing, advertising, or special events.
• Experience managing issue advocacy campaigns.
• Because the applicant will be required to access the Delaware Criminal Justice Access System (DELJIS), a satisfactory fingerprint-based criminal background check administered by the Delaware State Police is required as a Condition of Hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the legal system
• Ability to lead others, including managing different personalities, working styles, and preferences.
• Takes initiative and can effectively manage and prioritize multiple project timelines independently.
• Demonstrated understanding of how to use policy analysis, research, lobbying, media, communications, organizing and mobilization, and alliance-building to influence the political agenda, with proven experience in engaging with and influencing decision-makers.
• Superb organization skills, detail-oriented with strong follow-through, and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to influence others and understand the dynamics of personal and political influence.

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