Mayor Kasim Reed and GE announced a partnership to support the city in developing enhanced public safety strategies, specifically focused on leadership development and culture training. Together, the City of Atlanta, with GE’s support, will develop a best-in-class policing model, through the use of data analysis and enhanced training to address today’s complex public-safety challenges, while maintaining trust between police and the communities they serve.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in strengthening our community policing efforts,” said Mayor Reed. “Our officers need enhanced training and capabilities to build community trust and improve as a police force. GE is one of the world’s leading companies, and when I asked for support, they responded without hesitation. I cannot thank our partners at GE enough for joining us in this essential partnership.”

“GE has a history of investing in the communities where our employees live and work,” said Russell Stokes, president and CEO of GE Energy Connections. “With GE’s legacy in leadership development and the city of Atlanta’s strong training and development platform, this partnership allows us to unite our strengths to drive sustainable change. Together, we look forward to working closely with other corporate and community partners to help create a replicable program for other cities.”

GE is widely recognized for excellence in leadership, diversity, integrity, and innovation, and regularly cited by organizations across industry as a best place to work. GE ranks #1 in the world in the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders survey, the most comprehensive global research on leadership in the market. In earning top honors, GE was cited for strength of its leadership practices and culture, alignment of business and leadership strategy, and ability to develop leaders who enhance performance on a global scale.

The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Department are committed to employing policing strategies that honor Atlanta’s legacy of civil rights activism and its current economic and cultural diversity. The APD has already begun to implement its “Blueprint for Public Safety,” a policing plan based on the recommendations of the White House’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. In support of this plan’s implementation, APD and GE will jointly develop platforms that are transferable and sustainable. Areas of focus include enhanced training methods, including the use of digital tools, improving data collection and analytics and leadership development and culture change practices.

“The Atlanta Police Department is honored to work with GE on this important leadership initiative,” said Chief George N. Turner. “Since being selected as one of 15 police agencies from across the nation to implement President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing recommendations, we are already committed to developing best-in-class policing methods in order to build trust and nurture relationships with the citizens of Atlanta. I am confident that this partnership will be a vital component to APD’s overall policing strategy.”