Contesting Buddhist Narratives some elites to take advantage of the new legal norms (Prasse-Freeman forthcoming). As the police, historically underfunded and disempowered, increasingly assert their independence from the military and take on new responsibilities to prevent and manage violence, protect vulnerable communities, build relations with the public, and investigate and arrest perpetrators of violence, they need assistance from national and international actors. Some of this assistance is already being offered through programs by the European Union (EU) and the United States Institute of Peace. Many within the country have recognized the important opportunity that exists for police and religious actors, in particular, to work together to prevent and manage conflict, especially by monitoring for and refuting misinformation and by managing crowds. This could be leveraged and supported through the creation of hybrid police/community conflict prevention committees in local jurisdictions. Just as important as the efforts to prevent and manage conflict before and during moments of crises—efforts that can be strengthened through support of the new EU-funded, cross-ministerial Myanmar National Crisis Management Center in Naypyitaw—are the initiatives taken in the aftermath of crises to ensure accountability for criminal behavior. Authorities must ensure swift but thorough and fair investigations into those who directly participate in riots, as well as (in cases with sufficient evidence) those who indirectly plan and support them, give voice to hate speech inciting violence, and threaten those opposing violence and hatred. Legal reforms will also need to recognize other social, political, and economic factors that continue to inhibit the equitable administration of justice. This may well mean instituting legal protections for certain minority populations. There would certainly be resistance to those types of policies, but Myanmar may be an example of a transitional state in which social change must be preceded and compelled by legal frameworks. Key to this will be the process by which rule of law reforms are made, as much as the end state. The process pursued by the government must involve public participation, transparency, and a fostering of intergroup and civic-government collaboration, thereby building trust between groups and trust in governance. 49