SCF and GLEPHA Launch Landmark Report on Policing and Disability Justice at LEPH 2025

The Secure Communities Forum (SCF) was honored to take part in the Law Enforcement and Public Health (LEPH) 2025 conference, held at the University of Ottawa. This international gathering brought together leaders in policing, public health, academia, and civil society to explore innovative strategies for creating safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities through cross-sector collaboration.

As part of the SCF delegation, Professor Stan Gilmour KPM — Board Member at the Secure Communities Forum and a leading voice in inclusive policing — led a masterclass focused on enhancing law enforcement engagement with People of Determination (PODs). His session, held on July 14th, addressed the evolving responsibilities of police forces in promoting equity and justice for individuals with disabilities.

A highlight of the session was the official launch of our joint report with the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA):“Building Bridges: Multi-Agency Collaboration in Supporting Disability Justice.”📄 Access the full report here

This groundbreaking report is based on interviews with officers from 11 countries and offers a rare, comparative view of how law enforcement agencies around the world are addressing the challenges and opportunities in advancing disability justice.

Key Findings:

• Officers expressed a strong desire for practical, competency-based training rather than abstract or theoretical instruction.

• Contrary to popular narratives, many officers demonstrated genuine commitment to equity and inclusion in their day-to-day work.

• The most successful outcomes were found in jurisdictions that foster multi-agency partnerships, including with advocacy organizations, mental health professionals, and community stakeholders.

• Several contributors emphasized that this work aligns closely with the principles of community policing and co-produced safety.

• The report also highlights the importance of supporting officers who are themselves People of Determination, calling for greater recognition and accommodations within law enforcement agencies.
  

This initiative reflects SCF’s deep commitment to supporting inclusive security practices through global collaboration, evidence-based policy, and community engagement. As Professor Gilmour emphasized during his session, creating a more responsive and equitable public safety system is not only possible — it is already underway in many parts of the world.

We extend our sincere thanks to Professor Gilmour for his leadership, and to the team at GLEPHA, especially Dr. Nick Crofts, for their partnership in advancing this critical work.