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