HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicy 135 – Community RelationsOSHKOSH POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
TITLE: COMMUNITY RELATIONS
POLICY SERIES: 135
Effective Date: 8-15-2018
Date Issued: 8-3-2018
Chief of Police: Dean Smith
(signature on file)
Date Signed: 8-3-2018
Statutory References: N/A
CALEA Standard: 45.2.1, 45.2.2, 26.2.4
Final Review Completed: August 2, 2018
Review By: Command Staff and Public Affairs/Crime Prevention Officer
Rescinds Policy Dated: April 3, 2014
SECTION
DESCRIPTION
135.01
Purpose and General Policy
135.02
Community Relations Plan
135.03
Community Relations Responsibilities
135.04
Community Relations Report
135.05
Conflict Resolution
135.06
Survey
135.07
Community Input
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135.01 PURPOSE AND GENERAL POLICY
The Oshkosh Police Department is dedicated to the concept of community participation
and communication in defining and executing its role within the community. The
development of community support and interaction will increase the likelihood for
successful enforcement of all laws. Every effort will be made to communicate and work
with the community in identifying needs and problems. Plans will be jointly developed
through team policing initiatives with community partners to promote public safety and
address quality of life issues in Oshkosh.
135.02 COMMUNITY RELATIONS INITIATIVES
Community relations initiatives of the Oshkosh Police Department may consist of, but not
be limited to the following elements:
A. The development of agency -wide community relations policies.
B. Publication of the Oshkosh Police Department annual report, which contains;
1. Oshkosh Police Department Organizational Chart
2. Specialized training attended by staff
3. Team policing district reports
4. Police K9 report and statistics
5. Motorcycle Unit report and activity
6. Overtime analysis report
7. Crime statistics report and statistics
8. Citizen complaints/internal investigations report and statistics
9. Traffic enforcement statistics
10. Case investigation statistics
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11. Department goals performance measures
12. Department community connections report
C. The conveyance of information received from community members and
organizations to the appropriate Bureaus.
D. Development and improvement of police/community relations.
E. The identification of training needs through communications with community
representatives, those involved with internal investigations, and supervisors.
F. The establishment of community groups where such groups would be a benefit
and they do not currently exist.
135.03 COMMUNITY RELATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Each individual employee of the Oshkosh Police Department will share in the
responsibility of fostering positive police/community relations.
B. Employees are to convey information to the Public Affairs/Crime Prevention
Officer that would assist with addressing the concerns and problems expressed
by the community.
135.04 COMMUNITY RELATIONS REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
The Public Affairs/Crime Prevention Officer will prepare and submit to the Chief of Police a
quarterly report on activities of the position. This report will contain at a minimum the
following information:
A. A description of the current concerns expressed by the Community.
B. A description of potential problems which may have an impact upon the law
enforcement activities in the Community.
C. A statement of recommended actions that address previously identified
problems and concerns.
D. A statement of progress made toward addressing previously identified concerns
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and problems.
135.05 CONFLICT RESOLUTION
The Oshkosh Police Department will take steps to identify and correct actions, procedures,
and attitudes that may lead to community unrest and tension. Early recognition of issues
and corresponding preventative action will help to improve the quality of life in Oshkosh
and reduce future problems.
135.06 SURVEY
A. A survey of at least 1% of the community's population will be conducted
biennially by the Crime Analyst.
B. The survey will be conducted using online and written questionnaires which will
be provided to community residents in a manner conducive to obtaining a
representative sample of the community's overall composition.
C. The results of the survey shall be made available to the Community through the
Department's website.
D. The Crime Analyst shall be responsible for the development of the survey
questions and methodology. The survey will address the following issues:
1. Overall agency performance.
2. Overall competence of agency personnel.
3. Officer's attitudes and behavior toward citizens.
4. Concern for overall safety and security within the service areas of the
Oshkosh Police Department.
5. Recommendations and suggestions for improvement.
E. The survey results are compiled and a written summary is provided to the Chief
of Police by the Crime Analyst.
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135.07 COMMUNITY INPUT
A. Input from the community will assist the Department in carrying out its mission
and ensuring that agency policies accurately reflect community needs. Such
information can be obtained through the Oshkosh Police Department's
Neighborhood Watch Programs, partnership building through our Team
Policing efforts by the district and Neighborhood Officers, and input from other
Community organizations or individuals.
B. Procedures to register complaints against or commend the officers and staff of
the Oshkosh Police Department are made available to the public through social
media and the Department's website. Directions are also posted in the front
lobby of the Department.
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