Policing & Criminal Justice Recommendations | 2021 Report
Concern or Issue
There is a deep divide between Arlington ’ s youth and police .
Some Arlington police officers are not as well educated about or connected with the communities they patrol .
Stress can put police officers ’ mental and emotional health at risk and therefore it may prevent them from carrying out their responsibilities as public servants and healthy citizens .
Recommendation
Short term
• Expand the Police Athletic League to include sporting activities throughout the entire school year .
Medium term
• Build upon the police ride-along program to include students and young adults .
Long term
• Start a program to connect K-12 students with Arlington Police Department ( APD ) related to similar interests or hobbies .
Short term
• Pair new officers with officers of a different race and background and directly engage with communities of a different race in their districts .
Medium term
• Create a plan to encourage patrol officers to attend community events , patronize diverse restaurants , meet with different community leaders and make connections with residents .
Long term
• Create an immersion program for officers to connect to the communities they serve ; suggestions include having officers live in their beat for one week and connect with HOAs and other organizations that serve the area .
Short term
• Revised psychological program to include racially diverse professionals ; survey APD about adequacy of current program and implement indicated changes .
Medium term
• Schedule regular psychological evaluations for all officers such as an evaluation administered every 3-5 years and a mandatory evaluation after a traumatic event ; consider hiring a full time APD chaplain as a part of this process .
Unity Council Report 2023 83