PATH Foundation Provides Grant to Warrenton Police Department for Guardian Score Program

WARRENTON, Va., April 21, 2022—PATH Foundation recently gave a grant to the Town of Warrenton Police Department to help fund its program, Guardian Score. Guardian Score is a program available to police departments across the country. It uses real-time data analytics and insights to understand how police officers treat community members. The Guardian Score website opens with the question, “Why can we rate Uber drivers but not police officers?”

The program operates under the premise that police department leaders do not have meaningful and actionable analytics to effectively evaluate police officers. The program involves a card that police officers hand out at any community interactions. The back of the card contains a QR code directing members of the community to a digital survey. Each card is tied to a unique interaction and can only be used one time. Each card is also linked to the specific police officer handing out the card. The digital survey is anonymous and allows community members to rate their police interaction based on the officer’s ability to explain “why”, listening skills, fairness, professionalism and to explain next steps. Once the survey is completed (takes less than one minute,) the card is considered redeemed and cannot be used again.

“This program provides a great way for us to thoroughly measure our officers’ effectiveness and impact on the community,” said Chief Mike Kochis with Town of Warrenton Police Department. “The community responses are captured on a dashboard that every officer, supervisor and commander can access. During the initial 90-day pilot of the program, the police department recorded mostly positive responses and positive interactions. In reviewing the body cam footage, it’s clear that while our officers routinely treat the public with professionalism and compassion, knowing their interaction would be evaluated has definitely made them focus on explaining ‘why,’ listening and explaining next steps.”

“We are delighted to help fund this worthwhile program,” said Christy Connolly, PATH Foundation president and CEO. “Not only is this helpful to the police department, but also to the residents in the Warrenton community. I believe this program has real potential to further positive police and resident relationships.”

For more information on the PATH Foundation, visit www.pathforyou.org.

About the PATH Foundation

With a legacy of community philanthropy stretching back to 1954, Piedmont Action to Health (PATH) Foundation was created in 2013, as the Fauquier Health Foundation, through a joint venture between Fauquier Health and LifePoint Hospitals. The resulting private foundation manages the assets of this multigenerational gift to promote healthy communities today and in stewardship for our children’s grandchildren. For more information, www.pathforyou.org. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @pathforyou