This toolkit is intended for use by community organizations to improve their partnerships with law enforcement and to accomplish the following objectives: strengthen partnerships between the community and law enforcement; further the community's role as a partner in crime reduction efforts; identify and address social issues that diminish the quality of life and threaten public safety in communities; and link those in need to services and resources that currently exist in the community. The report is divided into five sections to assist community organizations in achieving these objectives. Section 1 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Agencies presents a history of policing in America. Section 2 - Collaborating with Your Local Law Enforcement Agency: The Fundamentals discusses collaboration and why it is important to effective law enforcement. Section 3 - First Steps: Setting the Stage, presents strategies for establishing an effective relationship between community organizations and law enforcement. Section 4 - Building Trust, presents information on finding common ground and understanding and appreciating the different approaches to public safety taken by community organizations and law enforcement. Section 5 - Successful Collaboration: A Step-by-Step Approach presents a detailed approach to implementing effective strategies for community organizations to partner with law enforcement to improve public safety. Examples of successful collaborations are presented throughout the report. Figures and resources