Policing & Criminal Justice Recommendations | 2023 Update
6.2. B Create a plan to encourage patrol officers to attend community events, patronize diverse restaurants, meet with different community leaders and make connections with residents.
City Lead: Arlington Police Department( APD) Timeframe: Medium term( 1-2 years)- Complete(& Ongoing) Actions:
• APD has reemphasized the Community Service Award Bar, added“ community contact mark out” as a tracked activity and emphasized visits to community events, restaurants and businesses as a part of field training.
• The department also provides a weekly list of community events each Monday to broaden officer awareness.
6.2. C 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.
City Lead: APD Timeframe: Long term( 3-5 years)- Complete(& Ongoing) Actions:
• The Neighborhood Portfolio Exercise traditionally completed in Field Training was officially moved to occur after field training when the recruit is assigned a beat. This will serve to engage the recruit in an exercise that occurs in the community they are serving. The exercise requires the recruit to learn several aspects of the beat they are assigned to. Class 59 was the first class where this new process was implemented.
6.3. A Revised psychological program to include racially diverse professionals, survey APD about adequacy of current program and implement indicated changes.
City Facilitator: APD and Human Resources Timeframe: Short term( 6-12 months)- In Progress Actions:
• A full-time Police Chaplain who is also trained in mental health work has been hired.
• The Chaplain spends a full shift with every patrol officer in a ride out and conducts meaningful visits with other APD sworn employees. Following feedback from the Chaplain at the end of his rotation through the force, the addition of more formal mental health checks will be considered.
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