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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