Testing new tools, changes, and outright experimentation with new ideas

The Sandbox - named after the technological sandbox environment where changes can be tested and experimented with - is a new initiative aimed at addressing these needs, focusing on public sector challenges, and providing a safe space outside of any single local government for experimentation. TJCOG staff lead research, facilitate conversations, and manage work streams to identify and implement unique approaches and solutions on a regional scale for challenges selected by stakeholders of the COG.

2019-2020 Sandbox Challenge: Recruitment of Law Enforcement Professionals

The Sandbox Challenge initiative began in 2018 as a response to several different needs in the region. TJCOG identified a need for more innovative, flexible, and responsive projects on behalf of our member governments on issues that arose suddenly or became too challenging for individual localities to address on their own. Additionally, the region was experiencing unprecedented growth in its innovation sector with organizations such as HQ Raleigh, American Underground and InnovateNC providing more capital and opportunity for public sector firms to think differently about their challenges. The public sector was missing out on a big chunk of this innovation work.

Goal: Improve the quantity, quality, and diversity of law enforcement candidates applying to work for police departments across the TJCOG region.

Learn more about the outcome of the 2019-2020 Sandbox Challenge, the Regional Recruitment Partnership