From Conflict to Collaboration: A Conversation on Police and Community Violence Intervention Partnerships

Roseanna Ander is the founding Executive Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab, spearheading cutting-edge research on gun violence prevention, criminal justice reform, and education that has led to significant impact and policy change across the nation. Under Ander’s leadership, the Crime Lab and Education Lab have helped redirect millions of public sector dollars toward effective, scalable solutions across the criminal justice and education sectors.

Ander also helped launch two major national initiatives: the Community Safety Leadership Academies (CSLA) and the Personalized Learning Initiative (PLI). CSLA molds future policing and community violence intervention leaders, while PLI addresses pandemic-induced learning loss through scalable tutoring programs. Ander also played a pivotal role in launching the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI), offering support to at-risk individuals.
As a policy advisor, Ander has served on the public safety transition teams for Chicago Mayors Lori Lightfoot and Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. 

Colonel Stephen Jenkins is the Chief of Police for Portsmouth, VA, overseeing law enforcement in the state's ninth-largest city. Appointed Assistant Chief in December 2021 and Chief in January 2023, he holds a B.S. in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Virginia State University, an M.S. in Organizational Leadership, and an MBA from Columbia Southern University. Jenkins completed leadership training through IACP, VACP/University of Richmond’s PELS, PERF’s Senior Management Institute, and the University of Chicago’s Policing Leadership Academy. He is a Certified Law Enforcement Command Executive by VACP. A member of organizations including NOBLE, IACP, VACP, Omega Psi Phi, Prince Hall Shriners, and Masons, Jenkins is dedicated to professional excellence and community service.

Todd McAlister (Buffalo, NY): is the Chief of Police for the Edward district in the City of Buffalo. Before serving as Chief, Todd was the Director Community relations for the Buffalo police department and the coordinator of the community policing initiatives. Prior to joining the Buffalo Police department, he worked for the City of Buffalo's Common Council as the Chief of staff and as an adjunct professor at several local colleges and universities. Todd holds both a Master's degree and a Bachelor's degree from Canisius University and he is graduate of the University of Chicago’s Policing Leadership Academy Cohort 3.

Latisha McNeil is a dynamic leader with 18+ years in criminal justice and community safety. She holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and graduated from the University of Chicago’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA), with advanced training in law enforcement oversight, auditing, violence intervention, and racial equity. As Greensboro’s first Director of Community Safety, she leads programs related to alternative response, pre-arrest diversion, violence prevention, and homeless services—prioritizing community-driven solutions as part of the Public Safety continuum. Embodying the ethos of providing the RIGHT responders at the RIGHT times in the RIGHT situations. Latisha has consulted on civilian oversight nationwide, partnered on officer retention research with the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing, and worked with federal agencies on community-police co-production, 911 alternatives, and CVI strategies. She serves on several boards, including the North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention Advisory Council, demonstrating her commitment to safer, resilient communities.

Chico Tillmon, PhD, is Executive Director of the CVI Leadership Academy, the first national training program designed to build the leadership capacity of those working to reduce violence in vulnerable communities. He previously served as Executive Director of the READI National Center for Safer Communities and led youth safety and violence prevention programs at the YMCA of Metro Chicago. A national expert in violence prevention, reentry, and nonprofit leadership, Dr. Tillmon serves on the Black and Brown Peace Consortium leadership team and has worked for over a decade with youth, direct service providers, and returning citizens. He was honored by President Biden in 2021 and is a recipient of numerous awards, including the 2025 Erica Ford Peacemaker Award, the 2022 UIC Alumnus of the Year, and the 2018 Congressional Veterans Braintrust Award.