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Build Unity
Goal 1: Implement Strategies to Eliminate Racism and Other
Forms of Discrimination and to Advance Unity in Arlington
Objective 5: Address Policing and Criminal Justice Disparities
Project Performance Measure(s) Department(s)
BU Unity Council Recommendation – Volunteer and Participation Police
1.5.1 Youth Investment Programs Hours
Summary: Update:
th
In the last several years, the national media has Explorers- In July, 9 Cadets assisted with the 4 of July
highlighted stories showing the lack of trust between Parade, ensuring that traffic flowed in and out of the
communities, especially the youth, and their police surrounding parking lots south of the parade float staging
departments. Nationally, youth mentoring programs area. Their assistance was vital to the overall success of the
consisting of effective implementation of the parade traffic plan. Additionally, Cadets dressed as
st
President’s Task Force on 21 Century Policing offer McGruff and Nate the Knight for the National Night Out
promising approaches to building trust. The kickoff and photoshoot.
department is one of 15 selected to participate in the
st
21 Century Policing program to serve as a model of In August, Cadets offered their services to Amigos En Azul
community policing for other police departments. The and SWAT. They helped sort and distribute school supplies
department continues to be focused on youth at the Amigos en Azul Back to School Bash and served as
engagement and has increased programs to directly actors for SWAT training at Cowboys Stadium. Program
engage youth. mentors also celebrated the accomplishments of our
Cadets with an awards banquet. Cadets were recognized
The following programs in the department are for perfect attendance, community service, physical fitness,
dedicated to increasing youth engagement: and tenure. Jacob Wagner was named Rookie of the year,
• Police Explorer: Program aimed at giving teens while Ruben Ortiz received the Supervisor of the Year
exposure to law enforcement careers through award. The Cadet of the Year was William Hodges.
competition headed up by local law enforcement
officers. High School Citizen’s Police Academy- Class #68 started on
• Police Activities League (PAL): Youth crime September 9, 2024, and there are five students
prevention program that uses recreational participating from AISD High Schools. There have been four
activities to create trust and understanding classes so far consisting of Rules and Expectations, Chief’s
between youth and police officers. Welcome, Homicide, and Traffic.
• Coach 5‐0 Program: In partnership with AISD,
officers assist in coaching athletics and regularly PAL: No update for PAL.
attend students games.
• Mentoring Arlington Youth (MAY) Program: Hometown Recruiting: The partnership with AISD, UTA and
Mentoring program for middle school boys and TCC continues to provide youth enrolled in the Hometown
girls. Recruiting Program with a unique opportunity to learn
• Hometown Recruiting Program (HRP): Based in about the law enforcement profession.
th
AISD high schools, this program relies on During the 4 Quarter, Class 11 continued their summer
volunteers from the department to assist in real workouts at the APD Training Center. Most sessions took
training scenarios for future APD officers. place early mornings throughout July. They have already
• Geographic/Community Partnerships: Providing participated in community service events, assisting with the
neighborhood‐centric opportunities allows for Amigos en Azul Back the Blue Bash and SWAT team training
communities to tailor education and mentorship at Cowboys Stadium. These 17 students embarked on their
activities within various areas of the City. journey as the newest AISD Police Academy, Class 11
Partnerships with groups like AISD Elementary (2024-25), at the Dan Dipert CTC. Upon school starting,
School Mentoring and the Boys and Girls Club of students have focused on completing the introductory
Arlington are examples of such partnerships. material for the course.
6