In September of 2009, the Brooklyn Park Police Department called a community meeting to talk about priority issues facing the community. Four hundred people attended from diverse sections of the community, and they conversed about the community's future. This led to the creation of a core planning team of 31 people who reflected diversity in race, ethnicity, and gender, as well as divergent opinions about the current state and envisioned future of the community. A mission statement for the community was developed. It holds that everyone in the community has intrinsic value and that the community thrives when everyone takes responsibility for the quality of life in the community. The police are part of this effort through leadership in maintaining and improving public safety for all in the community. This is done through professional and collaborative interactions with the community that provide legitimacy for the police based on fair and respectful enforcement of the law.