APD Annual Reports - 2019 Annual Report | Page 6

Chief’s Message Follow Chief Johnson on Twitter: @ArlingtonChief | 2019 Annual Report IEF As we usher in a new decade, I continue to be incredibly proud of the way our employees strive to make Arlington one of the safest communities in America. Policing is a relational business and we made considerable gains in this category. From our front-line officers to our support staff, we remain focused on addressing violent crime, dealing with neighborhood problems, and forging strong bonds with all of our residents and visitors. The state of our department is strong and well- positioned for the challenges that lie ahead. Known offenders, drugs and illegal guns continue to be a primary driver for violent crime. Citizen participation opportunities are present in almost every segment of our department. Neighbors looking out for one another, officers partnering with residents, and youth engagement are central to our overall public safety plan. In 2019, we received the International Association of Chiefs of Police – Civil Rights Leadership Award. This award is a testament to how we police in our community. We respect the rights of all individuals, and we are proud to serve as a “best practices” agency in the way we provide policing services. Over the past year, we have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice for our state of the art training curriculum for responding to hate and bias crime. Our commitment to the community is to mobilize quickly when an incident or crime occurs, to document the occurrence, and to conduct a thorough investigation to restore normalcy and order to the city. As you explore the work that was accomplished last year in this report, you will find authentic stories of service and compassion. The collective work of our team is unparalleled anywhere in the country. We will continue making investments and build long-standing relationships with neighborhoods, businesses, and our tourism industry. On behalf of Team APD, thank you for your unwavering support. Will D. Johnson Police Chief 06 CH