Between 2012 and 2014, civilian conflict analysis and resolution researchers
partnered with two American police departments to develop and pilot Insight
Policing, a community-based, problem-solving policing strategy that integrates Insight
conflict resolution skills with policing skills to help reduce retaliatory violence and
enhance police legitimacy in the moment of enforcement. Although responding to
conflict is familiar to police officers, Insight Policing offers a new orientation to do so.
Its development was possible because the researchers were invited to collaborate,
responded to the needs of the departments, and delivered their training in a way that
was compatible with existing policing norms and practice. This article explores how
the partnerships developed and the way that Insight conflict resolution principles
guided their success.