Justice for your Community, by Your Community.

In Partnership

Working with local law enforcement and municipal courts helps create stronger, more resilient communities

BRITE Collaborative and the City of Longmont Pioneered Community Based Restorative Justice!

BRITE Collaborative trains law enforcement departments how to implement its nationally acclaimed community Restorative Justice Model in partnership with police

Restorative Justice is an evidence-based alternative to the conventional criminal justice system that is proven to reduce recidivism and give victims of crime a more satisfactory experience of justice. Recent growth in restorative justice programming in the U.S. has occurred primarily through District Attorney Diversion programs and schools. However, a growing number of police departments are exploring how to utilize community restorative justice as an alternative to ticketing and arrests. BRITE Co. is committed to supporting other communities and cities in developing this police partnership model so that others can learn from our challenges and successes.

Based on our experience in Longmont and other communities, BRITE Co. has found that through direct experience and participation, police officers grow to embrace restorative justice as a viable option that helps them keep the community safe. Officers often refer to restorative justice as giving them an additional tool in their tool belt for working with victims and offenders of crime.

Training Packages Can Include:

Consultation with Leadership and Restorative Justice Advocates within the Longmont Police Department
Training with Law Enforcement Officers and Command Staff on How To Refer and Participate in Restorative Justice, Co-Delivered by BRITE Co. Staff and Longmont Police Officers
Program Coordination Training with BRITE Co.’s Community Restorative Justice Program Staff
Training Volunteers to participate as Facilitators and Community Members in a Police-RJ Partnership Model
Access to Administrative Documents and Resources Necessary to Start an RJ Program
Ongoing Support & Consultation

“Colorado is the frontline of Restorative Justice in the United States, and Longmont is the frontline of Restorative Justice in Colorado.”

— Dr. Jeffrey London, Metropolitan State University

BRITE CO. staff and our School Resource Officer Team meet quarterly to train Officers on how to implement restorative practices in their work within our local school districts.

“Prior to my employment with the LPD, I was a supervisor at a much smaller, rural law enforcement agency for several years. I wish all communities could have a resource as impactful as the BRITE Co. process.

Through the course of participating in several referrals, “circles” or conferences, and seeing some of the final outcomes of the contracts that resulted from these cases, I have learned from and benefitted from the cases as well. I have seen them (Responsible Persons) and their families come to a new level of awareness of how their choices affected others, and have seen the BRITE Co. process be a great asset in the police department’s community partnership efforts.”

— Former Longmont Officer & BRITE Co. Police Liaison Luke Wiley

Restorative Justice Offers a Solution Beyond “Prosecute or Let Go.”

The law enforcement agencies we have worked with - including our successful integration within the Longmont Police Department - report that they are extremely appreciative to have an additional option that provides an intervention that differs from prosecuting or issuing a warning. From the perspective of our law enforcement partners, Restorative Justice is not the appropriate for every case. But for people who are genuinely taking responsibility for their actions, Restorative Justice offers a way to hold people accountable to correcting their mistakes, repairing with victims, family, and community, and reintegrating without the life-altering consequences of a criminal record.

We are proud of the success we've had and the relationships we've built. Success is high, recidivism is low, and we are excited to share techniques, strategies, and lessons learned with you.