Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (04/21/2022 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: COMMUNITY AWARENESS , COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS AND
CRIME PREVENTION
Index as: Community Survey Crime Prevention
Community Awareness CSO
Community Service Unit Volunteers
Community Relations
Accreditation Standards: 45.1.1, 45.1.2, 45.1.3, 45.2.1, 45.2.2
Cross Reference: G.O. I- 2, Philosophy and Goals
G.O. II- 24, Community Resource Centers
CAD SOP IV- 03 Volunteer Selection
Replaces : G.O. II- 22, Community Awareness ( March 12, 2019)
This Order establishes procedures for maintaining effective two- way communication with the diverse community served by
the Department. It also implements organized crime prevention and crime awareness programs . It consists of the following
sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Community Awareness Division
IV. Community Service Officers, Uniform Services Bureau
V. Speakers
I. POLICY
A. All employees of the St. Petersburg Police Department, sworn and civilian, are responsible for enhancing the quality
of life of the citizens of St. Petersburg, for implementing the tenets of the Department’s mission, values and philosophy and
goals (see J:\Research\ GeneralOrders \I Philosophy of Policing\ I-02 Mission, Values and Goals.pdf
) and for achieving crime
prevention and comm unity goals for safe neighborhoods.
B. It is the responsibility of every employee to develop partnerships and resources within the community and to build
problem- solving partnerships , while enhancing a sense of mutual responsibility for public safety. The Department is
committed to correcting actions and practices which may contribute to community tensions and grievances.
C. All personnel shall promote positive community relations, recognizing that their actions and demeanor have a
significant effect on the image of the Police Department and, ultimately, its overall effectiveness and level of acceptance by the community.
D. The Community Awareness Division serves as a source of information concerning crime prevention programs and
police activities. The Division also coordinates community involvement activities, and disseminates related information.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2016 Immediately II-22
Distribution: All Employees
General Order II -22
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (04/21 /2022) E. The Community Service Officers (CSO) , Uniform Services Bureau, shall establish and maintain a meaningful and
productive partnership with the community. The goal of the CSO is to identify and resolve community -based problems in
order to enhance the quality of life for all of the citizens of our community.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Auxiliary – A civilian who is interested in contributing to the betterment of the community by an affiliation with the
Police Department in a part -time, non- sworn capacity; e.g., senior citizen, Chaplain, volunteer or member of the Public
Safety Cadet Program.
B. Volunteer – Unpaid citizen. (Refer to Auxiliary.)
III. COMMUNITY AWARENESS DIVISION
A. Manager, Community Awareness Division:
1. Is responsible for coordination, policy development, supervision and evaluation of the community involvement
efforts of the Department ;
2. Maintains liaison with all senior staff members to ensure continuous, integrated and coordinated response to
further the community relations effort;
B. The Community Awareness Division shall coordinate the recruiting, training and assignment of volunteers wishing
to serve the City of St. Petersburg by providing unpaid s ervice to the Police Department, excluding, the Volunteer Road
Patrol , Uniform Services Bureau and the Public Safety Cadet Unit , Youth Resources Section, Investigativ e Support
Services, Investigative Services Bureau.
C. Community Awareness Division
1. The Community Awareness Division shall:
a. Educate citizens about the functions and operations of the St. Petersburg Police Department and, working
with the Public Information Officer, publicize the Department’s objectives, problems and successes.
b. Work to identify sources of conflict between the police and the community and to encourage efforts to
resolve them.
2. The Manager, Community Awareness Division, shall provide the Chief of Police with a quarterly report detailing:
a. A description of current concerns and trends voiced by the community;
b. A description of potential problems that have a bearing on law enforcement activities within the community;
c. A statement of recommended actions that address previously identified concerns and problems; and
d. A statement of progress made towards addressing previously identified concerns and problems.
3. All employees shall forward to the Manager, Community Awareness Division all information and reports which
affect relations with the community and which address any subject area cited in this Order.
4. The Manager, Community Awareness Division, conduct s a random survey of community attitudes and opinions
on a bi -annual basis.
a. The sur vey will minimally address the:
1) Overall agency performance;
2) Overall competence of agency employees;
3) Citizen’s perception of officer’s attitudes and behavior;
4) Community concern over safety and security within the agency’s service area; and
5) Citizen’s recommendations and suggestions for improvements.
b. The results of the survey will be compiled and analyzed with a written summary provided to the Chief of
Police.
General Order II -22
Revisions or additions are highlighted 3 (04/21 /2022) 5. Crime Prevention
a. Participate in the use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) practices and
procedures in cooperation with the City’s Planning and Development functions