Icons | Think Tanks Series | Rosa Brooks, Center on Innovations in Community Safety Artwork

Precinct 444: The National Law Enforcement Museum Podcast

Over a decade of planning and persistence in the making, the National Law Enforcement Museum has opened its doors to the public. Finally, citizens and law enforcement professionals from diverse perspectives and backgrounds will have a place to share in the vibrant story of American law enforcement. Within the walls of the Museum’s strikingly contemporary exterior, artifacts from our collection of more than 25,000 objects tell the story of American law enforcement – past, present, and future – and engage visitors of all ages in memorable, immersive and experiential exhibits. More importantly, we’re proud that the Museum will serve as a platform for constructive dialogue to help strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. We invite all listeners to follow us and submit questions for upcoming episodes!

For questions or inquiries about the show: Precinct444@nleomf.org

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Precinct 444: The National Law Enforcement Museum Podcast

Icons | Think Tanks Series | Rosa Brooks, Center on Innovations in Community Safety

April 28, 2025 • National Law Enforcement Museum • Season 11 • Episode 9

In this engaging podcast series hosted by Thomas Canavan, the Executive Director of the National Law Enforcement Museum, we examine the vital role that law enforcement think tanks and policy centers play in shaping contemporary policing practices. Each episode features in-depth interviews with leading experts in the field, exploring their insights, research, and the innovative strategies they advocate to enhance public safety and community engagement.

Rosa’s professional journey weaves together elite academia, public service, and a deep exploration of national security and law enforcement. Entering Harvard at 17, she pursued history, later studying anthropology at Oxford and earning a law degree from Yale. Her career spans human rights advocacy, international policy, national security, and teaching roles at institutions such as UVA and Georgetown. Driven by intellectual curiosity, Rosa connects diverse fields, emphasizing the role of civilian institutions in addressing social issues and exploring the cultural dimensions of systems like the military and police.

The conversation highlighted her experience as a reserve police officer in Washington, DC—a role she took on to better understand the practice of policing. Training alongside full-time officers, Rosa applied her academic lens to examine gaps in ethical discussions and the purpose of policing. This experience led her to found the Center for Innovations in Community Safety at Georgetown Law, where she helped develop the ABLE program, a national initiative promoting bystander intervention in law enforcement. With over 25% of agencies participating, ABLE reflects Rosa’s commitment to reforming police culture through education, critical thinking, and bridging the gap between law, policy, and practice.

View the Museum's Public Program page to learn more about each participant.

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/