Policing & Criminal Justice Recommendations | 2023 Update
6.1. A Expand the Police Athletic League to include sporting activities throughout the entire school year.
6.1. B Build upon the police ride along program to include students and young adults.
6.1. C Start a program to connect K-12 students with APD related to similar interests or hobbies.
6.2. A Pair new officers with officers of a different race and background and directly engage with communities of a different race in their districts.
City Lead: Arlington Police Department( APD) and Parks & Recreation Timeframe: Short term( 6-12 months)- Complete(& Ongoing) Actions:
• The Police and Parks and Recreation departments have expanded Police Athletic League programming throughout the year, including an archery program and basketball clinics.
City Lead: Arlington Police Department Timeframe: Medium term( 1-2 years)- Complete(& Ongoing) Actions:
• Ride alongs have been offered through the Boys & Girls Club and the Koinonia Church and will be expanded in the future to high schools and Youth Explorers.
City Lead: APD, Library Services and Parks & Recreation Timeframe: Long term( 3-5 years)- Complete(& Ongoing) Actions:
• APD plans to partner with the Boys and Girls Club to engage with and build relationships between kids of all ages and police officers.
• The second year-round Police Athletic League( PAL) event took place in October 2022 at Chicken N Pickle. It was a very successful day with 26 kids and 9 advisors in attendance.
• PAL event was in December 2022 at the AISD Career Tech Center( CTC.) CTC chefs provided pre-made gingerbread houses that the children decorated for the holidays.
City Lead: Arlington Police Department Timeframe: Short term( 6-12 months)- Complete(& Ongoing) Actions:
• APD strives to recruit diverse officers to serve in field training roles.
• Cultural diversity and relational policing priorities will be developed in new officers by including several focused activities in the Police Academy, including panel discussions with the NAACP and LULAC about policing in communities of color.
Unity Council Report 2023 85