Community_Relations

Policy 342CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/09/10, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentCommunity Relations - 1Community Relations 342.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for community relationship-building. Additional guidance on community relations and outreach is provided in other policies, including: •Hate Crimes Policy. •Limited English Proficiency Services Policy. •Communications with Persons with Disabilities Policy. •Chaplains Policy. •Patrol Function Policy. •Suspicious Activity Reporting Policy. 342.2 POLICY It is the policy of the CSU Police Department to promote positive relationships between members of the department and the community by treating community members with dignity and respect and engaging them in public safety strategy development and relationship-building activities, and by making relevant policy and operations information available to the community in a transparent manner. 342.3 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Officers should, as time and circumstances reasonably permit: (a)Make casual and consensual contacts with community members to promote positive community relationships. (b)Become reasonably familiar with the schools, businesses and community groups in their assigned jurisdictional areas. (c)Work with community members and the department leadership to identify issues and solve problems related to community relations and public safety. (d)Conduct periodic foot patrols of their assigned areas to facilitate interaction with community members. Officers carrying out foot patrols should notify an appropriate supervisor and the Communications Center of their status (i.e., on foot patrol) and location before beginning and upon completion of the foot patrol. They should also periodically inform the Communications Center of their location and status during the foot patrol. 342.4 COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR The Chief of Police or the authorized designee should designate a member of the Department to serve as the community relations coordinator who is responsible for: (a)Obtaining department-approved training related to their responsibilities. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Community Relations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/09/10, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentCommunity Relations - 2(b)Responding to requests from department members and the community for assistance in identifying issues and solving problems related to community relations and public safety. (c)Organizing surveys to measure the condition of the department's relationship with the community. (d)Working with community groups, department members and other community resources to: 1.Identify and solve public safety problems within the community. 2.Organize programs and activities that help build positive relationships between department members and the community and provide community members with an improved understanding of department operations. (e)Working with the Patrol Division Commander to develop patrol deployment plans that allow officers the time to participate in community engagement and problem-solving activities. (f)Recognizing department and community members for exceptional work or performance in community relations efforts. (g)Attending State council and other community meetings to obtain information on community relations needs. (h)Assisting with the department's response to events that may affect community relations, such as an incident where the conduct of a department member is called into public question. (i)Informing the Chief of Police and others of developments and needs related to the furtherance of the department's community relations goals, as appropriate. 342.5 SURVEYS The community relations coordinator should arrange for a survey of community members and department members to be conducted at least once every four years to assess the condition of the relationship between the Department and the community. Survey questions should be designed to evaluate perceptions of the following: (a)Overall performance of the Department (b)Overall competence of department members (c)Attitude and behavior of department members (d)Level of community trust in the Department (e)Safety, security or other concerns (f)Recommendations and suggestions for improvements A written summary of the compiled results of the survey should be provided to the Chief of Police. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Community Relations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/09/10, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentCommunity Relations - 3342.6 COMMUNITY AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS The community relations coordinator should organize or assist with programs and activities that create opportunities for department members and community members, especially students, to interact in a positive setting. Examples of such programs and events include: (a)Department-sponsored athletic programs (e.g., baseball, basketball, soccer, bowling). (b)Police-community get-togethers (e.g., cookouts, meals, charity events). (c)Student leadership and life skills mentoring. (d)Alcohol and drug awareness programs. (e)Crime prevention programs. 342.7 INFORMATION SHARING The community relations coordinator should work with the Public Information Officer to develop methods and procedures for the convenient sharing of information (e.g., major incident notifications, significant changes in department operations, comments, feedback, positive events) between the Department and community members. Examples of information-sharing methods include: (a)Community meetings. (b)Social media (see the Department Use of Social Media Policy). (c)Department website postings. Information should be regularly refreshed, to inform and engage community members continuously. 342.8 LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS EDUCATION The community relations coordinator should develop methods to educate community members on general law enforcement operations so they may understand the work that officers do to keep the community safe. Examples of educational methods include: (a)Development and distribution of informational cards/flyers. (b)Department social media and website postings. (c)Presentations. (d)Department ride-al