The Speaker

Jennifer Lackard has spent the last decade and a half working with vulnerable populations and empowering Black and Brown communities to organize around social equity issues, particularly at the intersection of public health and public safety. Hyper-focused on amplifying the voice and participation of the underserved, Lackard is known for her person-centered approach in building equitable and just campaigns which inspire change that lead to public and private collaborations and full systems transformation.

Currently, Lackard is the Deputy Commissioner for Reform and Special Initiatives for the Mount Vernon Police Department and is the first female civilian sworn, with no formal police training, to carry out this new role which was created after the tragic death of George Floyd. In this capacity, Lackard is tasked with police reform, wellness and community relations which has led to many diversionary efforts for the City’s most vulnerable populations. Such innovations include creating a Peer Diversion Youth Court for youth ages 12-17 coupled with restorative practices to address crime with young persons in the community, restructuring the organization of the police department to include a new division focused on wellness for vulnerable residents (specifically, individuals with a mental health or substance use condition, domestic violence survivors, formerly incarcerated persons, the homeless, the aging and elderly, youth as well as Veterans and those with military service). Additionally, Lackard’s role has expanded to oversee administrative aspects of police operations which include budget management, national accreditation, quality assurance and oversight of the Department of Justice investigation launched against the department in December 2021.

Prior to joining Mount Vernon PD, Lackard was Executive Director of a forensic mental health and substance abuse treatment facility where she was instrumental with establishing a system of care for justice-involved adults ranging from creating a Mental Health Court, establishing a 24/7 responder network for clinicians to work with law enforcement on crisis calls as well as facilitating crisis intervention trainings with law enforcement, locally and with CIT International.

Lackard is a member of the Westchester Chiefs Association, a member of the Westchester County Executive’s Probation Advisory Board as well as other related associations around public health and public safety. Lackard received her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in Communication Studies, graduate degree from Cornell University in Labor Relations as well as a Certificate in Substance Use Disorder (including Alcohol and Nicotine Dependence and Gambling Counseling) from Metropolitan College’s Audrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education.

The Workshop

21st Century Policing for Black and Brown Law Enforcement Leaders and Officers : Friday, October 06, 2023 01:30P

This workshop will explore policing practice, policy and possibility amidst a national call to reimagine law enforcement and create a new standard of professional excellence.