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Policy 345Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentCommunity Relations - 1Community Relations 345.1 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 the: •Hate Crimes Policy. •Limited English Proficiency Services Policy. •Communications with Persons with Disabilities Policy. •Chaplains Policy. •Patrol Function Policy. •Suspicious Activity Reporting Policy. 345.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Santa Monica 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. 345.3 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Officers should, as time and circumstances reasonably permit: (a)Make casual and consensual contacts with community members to promote positive community relationships (see the Detentions and Photographing Detainees Policy). (b)Become reasonably familiar with the schools, businesses and community groups in their assigned jurisdictional areas. (c)Work with community members and the Department's Community Relations Coordinator 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 Public Safety 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 Public Safety Communications Center of their location and status during the foot patrol. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Community Relations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentCommunity Relations - 2345.4 COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNIT The Chief of Police or the authorized designee should designate members of the Department to serve in the community affairs unit. The community affairs unit is responsible for: (a)Obtaining Department-approved training related to his/her responsibilities. (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)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. (d)Working with the Operations Division Commander to develop patrol deployment plans that allow officers the time to participate in community engagement and problem- solving activities. (e)Recognizing Department and community members for exceptional work or performance in community relations efforts. (f)Attending City council and other community meetings to obtain information on community relations needs. (g)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. (h)Informing the Chief of Police and others of developments and needs related to the furtherance of the Department’s community relations goals, as appropriate. 345.5 COMMUNITY AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS The Department will strive to organize programs and activities that create opportunities for Department members and community members, especially youth, 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)Youth leadership and life skills mentoring. (d)School resource officer/Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.®) programs. (e)Neighborhood Watch and crime prevention programs. 345.6 INFORMATION SHARING The community relations coordinator should work with the Press Information Officer to develop methods and procedures for the convenient sharing of information (e.g., major incident Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Community Relations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/01/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentCommunity Relations - 3notifications, 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. 345.7 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 website postings. (c)Presentations to driver education classes. (d)Instruction in schools. (e)Department ride-alongs (see the Ride-Along Policy). (f)Scenario/Simulation exercises with community member participation. (g)Youth internships at the Department. (h)Citizen academies. Instructional information should include direction on how community members should interact with the police during enforcement or investigative contacts and how community members can make a complaint to the Department regarding alleged misconduct or inappropriate job performance by Department members. 345.8 SAFETY AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Department members responsible for community relations activities should consider