Athens-Clarke County: State of Community-Oriented Policing R. Scott Freeman, Ph.D. Chief of Police
State of Community Policing The history of policing. Professional Era / Traditional Policing. What is community policing? What does community policing look like? What opportunities exist to take community policing to the next level?
History of Policing Political Era (mid 1800 to 1920) Highly political (Ward bosses); inefficient; ineffective. Corruption led to reform movement. Professional Era (1920-1980) Centralization; professional standards; crime fighting; and focus on science and technology. Crime control/crime fighting become main focus; social control. Alienation of police from public. Civil Rights Movement; Rising crime rates. Community Era (1980-present)
The Professional Era Traditional Policing The standard/ traditional model of policing emphasizes: Random patrol across all parts of the community. Rapid response to previously committed crimes (e.g., 911 calls) reactive. Broadly applied intensive enforcement and arrest policies. Respond to incidents and take a report. Generalized investigations of crimes already committed. Administrative efficiency over effectiveness. Overreliance on the criminal justice system (incarceration).
Traditional Policing Model Weaknesses The standard or traditional model weaknesses: Focus only on the law. Does not focus on problems. Does not focus on building relationships. Intensifies barriers between police-community. Uses a wide net to address crime. Often creates a militarized police department. Alienates police from the public (Us vs. Them). Focuses on outputs and not on outcomes.
Traditional Policing Model Outputs The standard or traditional model of policing places focuses on outputs: Arrests (High arrest numbers). Citations issued (High citation counts). Traffic stops. Total calls for service. Fast response times to calls for service.
Traditional Policing: Analyzing the Research Research on traditional police patrol effectiveness Kansas City Preventive Patrol. Newark NJ Studies. Adding or subtracting random police patrols from an area makes NO difference in the community s perception of safety. No change in crime rates. No change in citizen fear of crime. No change in community attitude toward police. Increased presence of random marked unit patrols actually increases fear of crime. Copyright 2005-2009:Hi Tech Criminal Justice, Raymond E. Foster
Policing in Athens and Clarke County City of Athens Police vs. Clarke County Police Clarke County Police focused on traditional policing methods/strategies. City of Athens was service focused on using and developing community policing strategies. Unification of Government 1991 Unification of the City and County governments. Athens-Clarke County Police Department. One department of two philosophies and very differing strategies. Flashpoint for change. Chief Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr. Community policing takes first real roots in ACCPD.
Community Policing Community policing is NOT: A specific program, project, or initiative. School Resource Officers. A grant. Storefront precincts/substations. Foot or bicycle patrols. A specialized unit of neighborhood officers. A citizens police academy. A police officer on every corner. Police addressing or solving every community issue or problem.
Community Policing So, what is community policing? Community policing is a PHILOSOPHY that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problemsolving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.
Community Policing Why is community policing different? Community policing places considerable emphasis on police-community relations, and actively seeks to engage citizens in partnerships with the police to build safer communities through proactive problem-solving efforts. The ACCPD community policing philosophy places the emphasis on relationships, both internally and externally, that are built on trust and confidence in order to achieve optimal organizational health and optimal police-community health while fostering a safe Athens-Clarke County.
Community Policing Explained: A Guide for Local Governments Community policing functions differently in every community however it is a new way of doing business in most communities. Communities still continue to grapple with the change that the name implies. If public safety is seen as the exclusive purview of the law enforcement agency alone, a community policing effort will not succeed. Community policing places considerable emphasis on police-community relations, and actively seeks to engage in partnerships with the police to build safer communities through proactive problem-solving efforts.
Community Policing Increases the interaction between the police and the community, either directly through collaboration or simply through consultation. Provides named and accountable officers who know their area (e.g., permanent assigned zones, beats). Gives communities a greater voice in driving police priorities. Enhances decision-making at the lowest ranks of the police service. Regains the legitimacy of police in the eyes of the public. Allows a social service ethos to predominate, in which perceptions of community safety take priority. Gives precedence to solving community problems over reactive law enforcement.
Community Policing Outcomes Unlike traditional policing that focuses on outputs, community policing success places focus on outcomes as defined by the community: Greater community satisfaction, trust, and confidence in the police. Lower crime rates; less fear of crime. Root cause identification of problems and problem alleviation. Improvement in the quality of life.
Community Policing: Analyzing the Research Community Policing Effective in addressing crime rates. Reduces the fear of crime in a community. Communities develop trust and confidence in the police. Relationships are built between officers and citizens. Attitudes toward police improve and are more positive. It is a philosophy, which allows agencies to utilize various approaches and strategies appropriate for the community. Copyright 2005-2009:Hi Tech Criminal Justice, Raymond E. Foster
CompStat Problem-Oriented Policing Intelligence-led Policing Constitutional Policing
Computer Statistics (CompStat) A goal-oriented strategic management process that uses technology, operational strategy and managerial accountability to structure the delivery of police services.
CompStat It includes four generally recognized core principles : Timely and accurate information or intelligence; Rapid deployment of resources; Effective tactics; and, Relentless follow-up.
CompStat Biweekly CompStat Meetings Crime rates. Areas of increase/decrease (Goals). Prolific offenders. Validated gang member arrests. Vehicle crashes. Set new goals to focus on new trends. Athens Crime Information Sharing Network (ACISN) All inclusive access (Law enforcement personnel, CCSO, GBI, GSP). Roll call with each patrol shift.
Problem-Oriented Policing Calls for recognizing that incidents are often merely overt symptoms of problems and requires they [police] recognize relationships between incidents (similarities of behavior, location, persons involved, etc.); and (2) it requires that they take a more indepth interest in incidents by acquainting themselves with some of the conditions and factors that give rise to them.
Problem-Oriented Policing
Problem-Oriented Policing (SARA) BEFORE LITTLE OCONEE STREET AFTER Officer First Class Seth Jones April 2017
Intelligence-led Policing Intelligence-led Policing Management philosophy/business model. Aims to achieve crime reduction and prevention and to disrupt offender activity. Employs a top-down management approach. Combines crime analysis and criminal intelligence into crime intelligence. Uses crime intelligence to objectively direct police resource decisions. Focuses enforcement activities on prolific and serious offenders.
Intelligence-led Policing The targeting of prolific offenders. The management of crime and disorder hot spots. The investigation of a linked series of crimes and incidents. The application of preventative measures.
Constitutional Policing Constitutional Policing is Legal Policing Policing that operates within the parameters set by the U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, the body of court decisions that have interpreted and spelled out in greater detail what the text of the Constitution means in terms of the everyday practices of policing.
Constitutional Policing Key Issues Key Issues of Constitutional Policing: Use of Force. Racial Bias (Implicit Bias). Police stops, searches, seizures, and arrests. Police responses and interactions with persons with mental illness.
Constitutional Policing Strategies Policies & Procedures Constitutionally focused. Best-practices. Simple, straightforward, easy to follow, and available. Training of Personnel De-escalation. Fair & Impartial Policing. Crisis Intervention Training. Transparency Body cameras. Town Hall / R.E.S.E.T. meetings. Community involvement (e.g., training, CPA, strategic plan).
What does community policing look like in Athens-Clarke County?
1. Police-Community Town Hall Meetings 2. G.R.E.A.T. Program 3. Citizens Police Academy 4. Youth Citizen Police Academy 5. Youth Summer Camps 6. Youth Leadership Camp 7. Student Pledges Against Gun Violence 8. Police Explorer Program 9. Children in Need of Services (CHINS) 10. UGA Football Player Mentoring 11. Shop with a Cop 12. Coffee with a Cop 13. Ride Along Program 14. Leadership Team Community Walks 15. Bring in Community Leaders to Speak with new Police Officers 16. Nixle Alerts 17. Health Fair 18. Police Foundation 19. Civilian Response to Active Shooter 20. Treatment and Accountability Court 21. Neighborhood Watch Programs 22. Bonding Over Books 23. First Fridays (Cops & Kids Basketball) 24. Chess & Community 25. Blue & You Forum 26. Public Health Assessment 27. Athens Wellness Project 28. R.E.S.E.T Meetings 29. Justice & Mental Health Collaborative Grant 30. Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute (Child Safety Seat Program) 31. National Night Out 32. Touch a Truck 33. Athens in Harmony / Redux 34. Good Neighbors meeting with AHA 35. Career Day events with CCSD 36. Numerous speaking engagements and committees 37. Community Leadership Breakfasts 38. Stop, Park & Talk
SPO Gary Crosby creates Bethel Book Reading Outreach Bethel Bonding Over Books
2017 ACCPD Youth Summer Camp Summer Youth Camps
Athens Gardens 2017 Community Cookouts Some photos credited to Athens Banner Herald
2017 First Friday Events Organized by: Broderick Flanigan First Fridays Cops v. Kids Basketball
Instituted in 2015 Shop with a Cop
ACCPD / AADM Leadership Fellowship Breakfasts with Community Organizations
I Compassionate Outreach
Robie Cochran State of Georgia CIT Officer of the Year Crisis Intervention Response Team & Mental Health Collaborative
Town Hall & R.E.S.E.T. Meetings Police-community Town Hall / R.E.S.E.T. Meetings
University of Georgia, School of Social Work Clarke County School District University of Georgia, College of Public Health, Health Policy and Management Mayor s Youth Development Task Force
Building Bridges is divided into three parts that represent the past, present and future of police and community relations. A bridge can be seen across the entire painting that covers the outside wall on West Broad Street.
Building the Bridge to the Future of Community Policing in Athens-Clarke County
Strategic planning process goals: Where are we? Where do we need to be? How do we get there? How will we know we are successful? Formalized plan to establish long-term goals: Set priorities (e.g., goals, objectives). Focus energies to meet internal and external needs. Allocate resources properly and efficiently. Strengthen operations and services to community.
University of Georgia s Carl Vinson Institute. Assessment based on President s 21 st Century Policing. International Association of Chiefs of Police bestpractices. Collaborative Outreach: Chief s Advisory Board (17) Leadership Team Community Input Forum (37 Members) Appointments by the Mayor & each Commissioner (11) Appointments by the ACCPD Leadership Team Appointments by the Chief
POPULATION 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 88,058 101,972 117,314 123,912 124,707 131,257 139,121 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 1990 2000 2010 2015 2017 2020 2025 Resource: https://georgiadata.org/home.html
245 240 STOP VAWA Police 242 COPS GRANT HEAT GRANT 240 239 239 239 241 240 242 242 235 230 231 231 231 231 229 225 224 224 220 215 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 Police
The Big Three of COP Organizational Transformation 1. Agency management a. Leadership b. Decision-making c. Planning and Policies d. Organizational evaluations e. Agency Accountability f. Transparency 2. Organization a. Geographic assignment of officers b. De-specialization c. Flatten organizational structure d. Resources and finances e. Personnel f. Recruitment, hiring and selection g. Personnel evaluation and supervision h. Training 3. Technology/information systems a. Communication/Access to Data b. Quality and Accuracy of Data Problem Solving The process and effect of problem solving should be assessed at each stage of the problem solving process. 1. General Problem Solving Approach 2. Problem Solving Processes a. Scanning b. Analysis c. Response d. Assessment 3. General Skill in Problem Solving Community Partnerships Collaborative partnerships between the law enforcement agency and the individuals and organizations that serve or include anyone with a stake in the community. 1. Agency has multi-disciplinary partnerships with indicated community partners, including other government agencies, nonprofit and community groups, businesses, the media, and individuals. 2. Existing partnerships bring appropriate resources and level of commitment to community policing activities. 3. Level of interaction between law enforcement agency and community partners: communication, coordination, or collaboration. 52
Poor Moderate Optimal Philosophy Not understood Accepted Culture Agency Management Organizational evaluations. Decision-making. Leadership. Agency Accountability. Transparency. Planning and Policies. Organization Resources and finances. Recruitment, hiring and selection. Personnel evaluation and supervision. Training. Geographic assignment of officers De-specialization. Personnel. Flatten organizational structure. Technology / Information Communication/Access to Data Quality and Accuracy of Data. Problem-solving General Skill in Problem Solving. General Problem Solving Approach Problem Solving Processes. Community Partnerships Multi-disciplinary partnerships. Existing partnerships. Level of interaction. Criteria for success Focused on Outputs: Arrests, citations numbers; incident & accident reports. Output / Outcome Focused. Lower crime rates. Engaged with community. Good trust and confidence. Output focus still exists. Focused on Outcomes. Lower crime rates. High level of engagement. High level of trust and confidence.
Community Policing Opportunities Essentials and opportunities for enhancing community policing: Retention of veteran police officers must be a priority. Appropriate staffing levels (police officers, dispatchers, support personnel, volunteers). Appropriate funding to sustain COP philosophy and take COP to the next level in community. Training & education for personnel must be prioritized and funded. Equipment and resources must be enhanced. Wise and appropriate use of police officer authority, power, resources, and allocation. Understand that policing has changed. Focus on Guardian philosophy.
Poor Moderate Optimal Philosophy Not understood Accepted Culture Agency Management Organizational evaluations. Decision-making. Leadership. Agency Accountability. Transparency. Planning and Policies. Organization Resources and finances. Recruitment, hiring and selection. Personnel evaluation and supervision. Training. Geographic assignment of officers De-specialization. Personnel. Flatten organizational structure. Technology / Information Communication/Access to Data Quality and Accuracy of Data. Problem-solving General Skill in Problem Solving. General Problem Solving Approach Problem Solving Processes. Community Partnerships Multi-disciplinary partnerships. Existing partnerships. Level of interaction. Criteria for success Focused on Outputs: Arrests, citations numbers; incident & accident reports. Output / Outcome Focused. Lower crime rates. Engaged with community. Good trust and confidence. Output focus still exists. Focused on Outcomes. Lower crime rates. High level of engagement. High level of trust and confidence.
Philosophy Agency Management Organizational Structure Technology / Information Problem-solving Community Partnerships Criteria for success Poor Moderate Optimal Culture Leadership. Agency Accountability. Transparency. Planning and Policies. Organizational evaluations. Decision-making. Personnel. Flatten organizational structure. Geographic assignment of officers De-specialization. Resources and finances. Recruitment, hiring and selection. Personnel evaluation and supervision. Training. Communication/Access to Data Quality and Accuracy of Data. General Problem Solving Approach Problem Solving Processes. General Skill in Problem Solving. Multi-disciplinary partnerships. Existing partnerships. Level of interaction. Focused on Outcomes. Lower crime rates. High level of engagement. High level of trust and confidence.