Introduction to Steve Rickman

In this episode, The Den introduces Steve Rickman, an advocate who has dedicated over 40 years of his life to building positive relationships between law enforcement and communities all over the country. Today, Steve shares his journey from his early career in Washington, D.C., to a trusted advisor in community policing practices. His story exemplifies the power of data-driven decision-making and community-focused actions in bridging the gap between police and the public.

Steve's career took a turn when he became a statistician for the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department during a period of rising homicides caused by the crack cocaine epidemic. Steve's ability to analyze crime statistics and shape public perceptions was critical in raising awareness about crime rates in major cities. As the Executive Director of the Department of Justice's Weed and Seed Program, he created police-community partnerships in more than 300 cities. Maintaining relationships between law enforcement and communities remain at the core of his policing and crime reduction efforts.

Topics Covered:

• Steve’s perspectives of law enforcement while growing up in Washington, D.C.
• How policing practices have evolved since the 50s & 60s
• The importance of using data to effectively understand and address crime issues
• The Weed and Seed Program’s success in reducing crime in high-crime neighborhoods
• Setting benchmarks and holding law enforcement accountable for results
• Aligning policing strategies with modern complexities
• Community engagement, prevention programs, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to build trust and reduce crime in neighborhoods

• The Weed and Seed Strategy