An important dimension of the research process in the case of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas was linking the research to policy dialogues on public security. This briefing note explores some of the issues that emerged through these dialogues. These include the paucity of legitimate community representatives, the way that the government uses information, and the importance of time and timing in building policy dialogues. In order for there to be a productive dialogue with policymakers at the municipal, state, or other level, interlocutors between the favelas and government institutions are also key.