Community Relations: What do angels, puppies and fish have to do with policing?

On July 22, Gloucester, Mass. Police Lt. Jeremiah Nicastro will offer his first class on Police Department Community Impact Units. Nicastro, a veteran of the massively successful Gloucester ANGEL Initiative that drew national praise for its police-led, non-arrest work on the opioid epidemic that led to a decrease in overdose deaths and incarcerations.

According to Nicastro: This course, entitled “Angels, Puppies, and Striped Bass: A Modern Guide to Police Community Relations” provides an overview of Police Department Community Impact Units and will be useful for agencies and police leaders who have units or are considering starting such a unit in their department. Participants will learn about various programs and initiatives, funding mechanisms that support the initiatives and outcomes achieved. Additional topics include non-arrest, police-led substance abuse disorder programs, funding assistance for K-9s and comfort dogs, and the police-led recreation and sports programs. These programs have worked wonders over the years in Gloucester, with news media praising programs like the police-youth anglers program.

Modern strategies for police-community relations officers focus on building trust, enhancing communication, and fostering a sense of partnership between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Here are some key strategies that go beyond the class and may help prepare potential students to be more fully engaged on the class in July, which will be offered both IN PERSON at our Canton, Mass. classroom and on Zoom for nationwide attendees:

Community Engagement and Outreach

1. Regular Community Meetings: Hold regular meetings with community members to discuss concerns, provide updates, and listen to feedback. This helps in building transparency and trust.
2. Community Policing: Officers should be assigned to specific neighborhoods to develop relationships with residents. They should be visible, approachable, and engaged in everyday activities within the community.
3. Youth Programs: Implement programs aimed at engaging young people, such as sports leagues, educational workshops, and mentorship programs. This helps in building positive relationships from a young age.
4. Cultural Competency Training: Provide training for officers to understand and respect the diverse cultures, traditions, and values of the communities they serve. This can reduce misunderstandings and foster mutual respect.

Use of Technology

1. Social Media Engagement: Use social media platforms to communicate with the public, share positive stories, provide updates on local events, and address community concerns in a timely manner.
2. Community Feedback Apps: Develop and promote apps that allow community members to provide feedback, report issues, and communicate directly with the police.
3. Body-Worn Cameras: Utilize body-worn cameras to enhance transparency and accountability. Ensure the footage is used to review interactions and improve practices.

Training and Education

1. De-escalation Training: Provide officers with training on de-escalation techniques to handle tense situations calmly and safely, reducing the likelihood of violence.
2. Implicit Bias Training: Conduct regular training sessions to help officers recognize and mitigate their own biases, leading to fairer treatment of all community members.
3. Crisis Intervention Training: Equip officers with skills to handle situations involving individuals with mental health issues, ensuring they receive appropriate care rather than punitive measures.

Building Partnerships

1. Collaboration with Community Organizations: Partner with local nonprofits, religious groups, and other community organizations to address issues like homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
2. School Resource Officers (SROs): Place officers in schools to build positive relationships with students and staff, provide safety education, and serve as mentors.
3. Neighborhood Watch Programs: Encourage and support neighborhood watch programs where community members can work together and with the police to prevent crime and enhance safety.

Transparency and Accountability

1. Public Accountability Boards: Establish boards made up of community members to review police conduct, investigate complaints, and provide recommendations for improvement.
2. Open Data Initiatives: Make crime data, use of force incidents, and other relevant statistics available to the public. This promotes transparency and allows the community to stay informed.
3. Clear Communication on Policies: Ensure that the community understands police policies and procedures, especially regarding the use of force and how complaints are handled.

Positive Interaction Initiatives

1. Coffee with a Cop: Organize informal gatherings where community members can meet officers in a relaxed environment, fostering open dialogue and personal connections.
2. Community Service Projects: Involve officers in local service projects, such as cleaning up parks, participating in food drives, or helping with community events.
3. Recognition Programs: Highlight and celebrate positive interactions between police and community members. Recognize officers who go above and beyond in serving the community.

Addressing Specific Community Needs

1. Language Access Services: Provide translation and interpretation services to ensure that non-English speaking residents can communicate effectively with the police.
2. Support for Victims of Crime: Offer resources and support services for victims of crime, ensuring they receive the assistance they need to recover and feel safe.
3. Targeted Crime Prevention Programs: Develop programs to address specific issues affecting the community, such as gang violence, drug trafficking, or domestic abuse.

Police community relations/service officers can build stronger, more positive relationships with the communities they serve, leading to safer and more cohesive neighborhoods. We hope to see you in class this summer!