Full Notification

Date: October 10, 2020

No: 20-28
Subject: Publication of COP Playbook – Release of Dr. Thelma Orr Documentary


In partnership with the Morgridge Family Foundation, the Racine Police Department announces the release of the COP Playbook. In support of the content within the playbook, the Racine Police Department announces the release of the recently completed short documentary honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Thelma Orr, for whom the Villa Street COP House was named.

Published with the objective of sharing best practices in the implementation and operation of COP Houses at the neighborhood level, the COP Playbook was created at the recommendation of John Farnam of the Morgridge Family Foundation. After visiting the Greater Racine County area in early 2019 during a community collaboration meeting arranged by Dr. Bryan Albrecht and Dr. Stacia Thompson of Gateway Technical College, Morgridge Family Foundation Chief of Staff John Farnam was introduced to the community policing model as practiced and applied locally in the City of Racine and the Village of Mt. Pleasant.

While meeting with local leaders to discuss strategies surrounding the “Two Generations-One Solution” poverty disruption model (2Gen), where families are strengthened through the intentional and simultaneous focus on children and adults, Farnam recognized a direct nexus between the work of Morgridge Foundation and the work of the Racine Community Foundation, long-time supporters of the local COP House model. After being informed of the transformational public safety strategies in place locally, where COP Houses are strategically placed in vulnerable neighborhoods to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for area residents, Farnam offered the support of the Mortgage Family Foundation to publish a “best practices” manual designed to share the COP House narrative with police departments across the nation.

In alignment with the problem-solving strategies advanced under the COP philosophy, the Morgridge Family Foundation works to align resources that foster innovation around social issues and community challenges.

Quote from John Farnam on the decision to partner with the Racine Police Department in the production of the COP Playbook:

“As change agents and chief disrupters of systemic conditions that prevent the advancement of vulnerable communities, we start on the ground at the neighborhood level, listening to the needs of a community. We invest in equity-driven solutions, and we lift up innovative solutions and leaders who have a bold vision for the future.”

In addition to the long-time support of the Racine Community Foundation, SC Johnson has served as a major corporate partner since the introduction of the community policing philosophy locally in 1992, investing a significant amount of time, talent and resources in support of strengthening recovering neighborhoods in Racine and the Village of Mt. Pleasant.

Consistent with the COP philosophy, where strong community partnerships are promoted, SC Johnson Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson and Chief Art Howell collaborated to advance a joint playbook forward. The shared vision communicated within this forward was assembled to encourage and inspire community leaders across the nation to embrace the best practices and lessons learned locally after 28 years of problem-solving interventions under the proven COP philosophy.

For online access to the COP Playbook, follow this link: https://www.cophouseplaybook.org/

For online access to the COP House documentary, follow this link: https://youtu.be/x4pXJW6omBs

The COP Playbook was assembled through research and technical assistance provided by Safe & Sound Inc., Milwaukee, WI.