The Six Pillars of Community Policing Herbert R. Ashford Assistant Chief of Police Dallas County Community College District – Police Department

“When any part of the American family does not feel like it is being treated fairly, that’s a problem for all of us.” —President Barack Obama

The Genesis Recent events between the community and the police The Task Force December 18, 2014, President Barack Obama signed an executive order establishing the Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The task force started meeting in January 2015 and consisted of 11 members with over 100 diverse members of the community providing contributions Members and contributors came from law enforcement (rank and file and executive) Community member Civic leaders Advocates Researchers & Academics In addition to the core group and the contributors meeting, community forums were help in Washington DC, Phoenix, and Cincinnati Tasked with identifying best practices and offering recommendations on how policing practices can promote effective crime reduction while building public trust.

Overall Recommendations Create a National Crime & Justice Task Force Promote community-based initiatives The focus of the Crime and Justice Task Force will be to examine all aspects of the criminal system Community-based initiative will focus on – Poverty Education Health Safety

The Six Pillars Pillar One: Building Trust and Legitimacy Pillar Two: Policy and Oversight

The Six Pillars Pillar Three: Technology & Social Media Pillar Four: Community Policing & Crime Reduction

The Six Pillars Pillar Five: Training & Education Pillar Six: Officer Wellness & Safety

Pillar One: Building Trust and Legitimacy

“In a republic that honors the core of democracy—the greatest amount of power is given to those called Guardians. Only those with the most impeccable character are chosen to bear the responsibility of protecting the democracy.” —Plato

Trust and Legitimacy The Trust Gap This is the foundational principle that police-community relations is built. If the community does not see what the police does as legitimate it results in less trust The community will consider the police as legitimate if the police uses its authority in a just manner. What the public considers as just behavior is: Treating people with dignity and respect Giving individuals “voice” during encounters Being neutral and transparent in decision making Conveying trustworthy motives

Trust and Legitimacy Recommendations: The police should adopt procedural justice as the guiding principle for internal and external policies and practices to guide their interactions with the citizens they serve. Acknowledge the role of policing in past and present injustice and discrimination

Trust and Legitimacy Recommendations: The police should establish a culture of transparency and accountability in order to build public trust and legitimacy. Law enforcement should promote legitimacy internally by applying the principles of procedural justice.

Trust and Legitimacy Recommendations: Initiate positive nonenforcement activities in communities that typically have high rates of enforcement by the police. consider the potential damage to public trust when implementing crime fighting strategies.

Trust and Legitimacy Recommendations: Conduct annual community surveys. Law enforcement should create a diverse workforce. Build relationships with immigrant communities.

Pillar Two: Policy and Oversight

Policy and Oversight Society’s expectations Constitutional, impartial, and measured enforcement. Development and implementation of sound policies. Transparency and inclusion in the policy and enforcement process.

Policy and Oversight Recommendations Community collaboration in policy development and enforcement strategies. Comprehensive policies Use of force Training Investigations Prosecution Data Collection Information Sharing

Policy and Oversight Recommendations Implement non-punitive peer review of critical incidents, separate from administrative and criminal investigations. Adopt identification procedures that implement scientifically supported practices that eliminate or minimize presenter bias or influence.

Policy and Oversight Recommendations Law enforcement agencies should be encouraged to collect, maintain, and analyze demographic data on all detentions. Law enforcement agencies should create policies and procedures for policing mass demonstrations Employ a continuum of managed tactical resources that are designed to minimize the appearance of a military operation and avoid using provocative tactics and equipment that undermine civilian trust

Policy and Oversight Recommendations Every community should define the appropriate form and structure of civilian oversight to meet the needs of that community. Enforcement activity should address legitimate crime issues.

Policy and Oversight Recommendations officers should be required to seek consent (ideally written) before a search and explain that a person has the right to refuse consent when there is no warrant or probable cause. Establish search and seizure procedures related to LGBTQ and transgender populations

Policy and Oversight Recommendations Adopt and enforce policies prohibiting profiling and discrimination. National decertification standards for decertifying officers who lost their peace officer license due to misconduct. based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, disability, housing status, occupation, or language fluency.

Pillar Three: Technology and Social Media

Tech & Social Media Types of Technology Body-worn cameras (BWC) Unmanned aircraft (drones) Social Media major challenges including determining the effects of implementing various technologies; identifying costs and benefits; examining unintended consequences; and exploring the best practices by which technology can be evaluated, acquired, maintained, and managed.

Tech & Social Media Recommendations National Institute of Justice to establish national standards for the research and development of new technology. The implementation of appropriate technology by law enforcement agencies should be designed considering local needs and aligned with national standards. maintain civil and human rights protections.

Tech & Social Media Recommendations Develop best practices that can be adopted by state legislative bodies to govern the acquisition, use, retention, and dissemination of auditory, visual, and biometric data by law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies should adopt model policies and best practices for technology-based community engagement that increases community trust and access.

Tech & Social Media Recommendations Development of new “less than lethal” technology to help control combative suspects. Improved law enforcement communications Interoperability First Net

Pillar Four: Community Policing & Crime Reduction

Comm. Policing & Crime Reduction Community Policing Community policing requires the active building of positive relationships with members of the community. Crime Reduction Requires collaborative partnerships

Comm. Policing & Crime Reduction Recommendations Law enforcement agencies should develop and adopt policies and strategies that reinforce the importance of community engagement in managing public safety. Community policing should be infused throughout the culture and organizational structure of law enforcement agencies.

Comm. Policing & Crime Reduction Recommendations Engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementing, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors . Work with community residents to identify problems and collaborate on implementing solutions that produce meaningful results.

Comm. Policing & Crime Reduction Recommendations Adopt policies and programs that address the needs of children and youth most at risk for crime or violence.

Pillar Five: Training & Education

Training & Education The modern training challenges of law enforcement Procedural justice Terrorism Technology Legislation and case law Crisis intervention/Mental health issues Cultural diversity

Training & Education Training must be Developed around proven/evidence based principals Realistic & Relevant Continuous Reiterate core training Relevant to position and level

Training & Education Recommendations Establish consistent standards for high quality and innovative training. The community should be part of the design and implementation. Establish standards for first-line, middle management, and executive training.

Training & Education Recommendations Partner with institutions of higher education to train leaders. Require Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for both recruit and in-service training. In addition to tactical training, increase social interaction training.

Training & Education Recommendations Train on cultural awareness and implicit bias. Provide procedural justice training. Encourage and incentivize officers to obtain higher education.

Training & Education Recommendations Conduct scenario-based training. Scenarios should include training in de-scalation Improve field training officer program. Based on adult learning theory Encourage problem-based learning Emphasize procedural justice

Pillar Six: Officer Wellness & Safety

Ofc. Wellness & Safety The cost of serving. Psychological risk Dealing with tragedy and horror Suicide Physical risk to officers Poor physical health Lack of exercise Poor nutrition Sleep deprivation

Ofc. Wellness & Safety Recommendations Research mental health issues unique to officers. Departments need to promote safety and wellness at every level of the organizations. Utilize scientifically supported shift lengths.

Ofc. Wellness & Safety Recommendations Personal protective equipment (PPE). Individual tactical first aid kits w/training Ballistic vest Collect and analyze data on officer injuries and deaths Mandatory use/wear policies

Ofc. Wellness & Safety Recommendations Research “smart car” technology to reduce auto accidents.

So what does this mean?

Revisit Our Purpose

Where does law enforcement go from here? Recommendations: The task force recommended that the President to adopt the recommendations Explore public-private partnership opportunities, starting by convening a meeting with local, regional, and national foundations to discuss the proposals for reform described in this report and seeking their engagement and support in advancing implementation of these recommendations. The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) help sub-national law enforcement agencies address current and future challenges

Questions? The President’s task force on 21st Century policing https://csgjusticecenter.org/law-enforcement/publications/final-report-of-the-presidents-task-force-on-twenty-first-century-policing-available/