1. What’s in it for Me?

2. Recognition Program The Recognition Program requires extra work on the part of a Department. Why do we need to do it???

3. Two Reasons: Professional Credibility Risk and Liability Reduction

4. The 1960’s and 70’s In the 1960’s and 70’s Law Enforcement in the U.S. was seen as: Uneducated Poorly Trained Unprofessional Brutal An Instrument to deny Civil Rights of citizens

5. The President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice President Johnson, before leaving office, created the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice. Report issued in 1967 found many failings and made many recommendations including better training and higher education for police.

6. Beginnings of Professionalism for Police The 1980’s began efforts to Professionalize Police Departments Increasing Educational Requirements Development of a “Code of Ethics” Development of Internal Affairs and Professional Standards Units Development of State POSTs (TCLEOSE)

7. Best Practices During the 1990’s Professional Efforts Continue Development of Standards and Best Practices in other States Police Chiefs Associations, non-profits, and even other State Governments create State Accreditation Programs for Police Departments.

8. Texas Police Chiefs Association TPCA Membership wanted a method to improve law enforcement operations in Texas. The Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices Recognition Program was the result.

9. Texas Recognition Program Voluntary process where law enforcement agencies can prove their compliance with 164 Best Practices for Texas Law Enforcement. Easy to administer Tailored to what Texas agencies need

10. Texas Recognition Program Once Recognized, an Agency maintains Recognized status for 4 years by submitting annual reports and proving they continue to meet the standards.

11. Texas Recognition Program But what does all that mean to the average street officer??? It means it will make your agency Better!!!

12. Texas Recognition Program The Recognition Program requires agencies to provide: Clear and consistent policies Training in all critical areas Feedback on employee performance Proper and necessary equipment

13. Texas Recognition Program Clear and consistent policies help to keep you and your department out of trouble! Policies should provide clear direction on how the department wants things done. Does not leave it up to arbitrary or flip/flop decisions based on who is involved or who is making the decision.

14. Texas Recognition Program Clear policies on employee selection, training, investigation of complaints, and promotions let officers know the rules up front and helps you plan and control your career.

15. Texas Recognition Program Ensuring proper training provides you with the safest and most acceptable method completing a task in addition to professional development. Training provides the most appropriate method of accomplishing a task without ending up as a defendant in civil court.

16. Texas Recognition Program Program requires clearly established rules of behavior and ethics so that everyone is held to the same standard. The Program requires regular feedback on your performance. This allows you to continue to improve in your abilities as well as documenting performance for future opportunities.

17. Texas Recognition Program The Program also requires adherence to all state regulations and Law Enforcement Best Practices including: Officer Selection and Training Records Management Property and Evidence Management

18. Texas Recognition Program Development of appropriate policies on how things should be done reduces the risk of legal liability and enhances an agencies ability to defend against lawsuits. Officers following well developed policies reduce the risk of both physical injury and are less likely of being held personally liable in civil court for their actions.

19. Texas Recognition Program Failure to follow established procedures, Failure to do what a reasonable officer would do, Can leave an officer personally liable for their actions.

20. Texas Recognition Program Developing well thought out Policies and Procedures and … Following those procedures… Protects you, your job security, your family’s security and increases the probability you will go home safely after each shift.

21. Texas Recognition Program Compliance with the Best Practices builds community confidence the agency. Clearly, City Councils are reluctant to increase compensation for departments that are not seen as professional or competent. While it may not lead directly to an increase in salary, it can assist in providing the tools needed for you to do your job properly.

22. Texas Recognition Program Agencies who fail to follow Texas Law Enforcement Best Practices often find themselves being criticized on the front page of the local newspaper and on your favorite TV station. Being part of an organization like that can be embarrassing to professional police officers who take pride in their career.

23. Texas Recognition Program Compliance with the Best Practices will help keep your agency from being labeled the “Keystone Kops.”

24. Texas Recognition Program If you like your job and like catching bad guys, you need to understand that police catch bad guys in only three ways. 1. On-View. You drive up on a crime in progress. Problem there is it doesn’t happen very often.

25. Texas Recognition Program 2. By the investigation of Physical Evidence. This method increased significantly with the advent of AFIS and DNA. But now, the number of case solved through forensics is decreasing because of TV programs like CSI. In prison, CSI is video training for crooks!

26. Texas Recognition Program And lastly, by information provided by citizens, witnesses, and victims… Information from people who know or saw something. But if they don’t trust you, if they don’t have confidence in your ability, if they think you are the Keystone Kops, they will not volunteer information to you!

27. Texas Recognition Program Think about it. Every time a person gives information to the police, they run a risk of retaliation by someone. They will evaluate whether the act of telling you is to their advantage or not. If they don’t trust you, if they don’t think you know what you are doing, do you think they will take the risk?

28. Texas Recognition Program The Recognition Process requires a review of your agency by Trained Outside Assessors who review your policies and procedures, your operations, and your facilities and equipment. You don’t have to have the best of everything – but the Best Practices ensures you are doing things the right way!

29. Texas Recognition Program Professionals in all fields recognize the value of meeting established standards, of being assessed by independent assessors, and ascribing to a code of ethics. Doctors, lawyers, and nurses become “Board Certified.” Hospitals, universities, and industries become “Accredited’ or “ISO Certified.”

30. Texas Recognition Program The Recognition Program provides that credibility for Texas Law Enforcement! It provides you with a badge of professional credibility for your community, for you local criminal justice community, and provides professional recognition from your peers.

31. Texas Recognition Program Risk and Liability Reduction And Professional Credibility Two Really Good Reasons!

32. Texas Recognition Program Professionals recognize the value of Continuous Improvement. Welcome to the Community of Recognized Agencies!

33. Texas Recognition Program Improving Law Enforcement Services in Texas