Page 381 - FY 2025 Adopted Operating Budget and Business Plan

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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 Recommendations – Police
1.5.2 Police Department Recommendations
Summary: We have added community contact mark outs to the
dispatch system to track officer activity. We are also re-
Improve Transparency emphasizing the Community Service Award Bar.
The Police Annual Report is delivered to the City Council
annually as a step towards a transparent implementation Update:
process. We also share this information with the public in APD continues to implement recommendations made by
other ways such as through social media and published the Arlington Unity Council, particularly in the areas of
stories in the Star Telegram. Progress on updates will also youth engagement and community policing.
be shared with the Unity Council at its meetings. The City
welcomes feedback from the public as it works to In May 2024, the department debuted its new GameUp 5-
implement the recommendations of the Unity Council. 0 gaming trailer. This state-of-the-art mobile gaming
The department also continues to push for transparency center, which contains interior and exterior video game
through releasing public reports that demonstrate a high stations, virtual reality headsets, and a racing simulator,
amount of value for residents and business owners. attends community events across the city and has proven
to be extremely popular with kids and teens. APD
Pairing of Officers with members of the community from employees operate the trailer and positively connect with
another race youth by playing video games with them.
The Police Department strives to recruit diverse officers to
serve in field training roles. This commitment to Officers also continue to make concerted efforts to meet
diversifying training options for field training officers will community members in community spaces to bolster trust
continue. More importantly, cultural diversity and in law enforcement. The department has recently ramped
relational policing priorities will be developed in officers up its Shop Talk program, partnering with local
who serve the community. Newly hired officers participate barbershops that invite officers to come in, speak with
in community projects throughout their academy their employees and customers, and engage in dialogue
instruction experience. Upon graduation, they are assigned that promotes transparency and understanding
to field training. As an update to the department's field
training program, the department will look for ways to
have recruit officers and their training officers participate
in more community events, visit stores and frequent
restaurants in the beat areas that they will be assigned in
order to develop deeper relationships with community
members and businesses.

Enhance Community Policing
The department regularly attends events in the
community, and they are highlighted weekly with calendar
invites so officers and leaders attend various community
events. Newly hired officers participate in community
projects throughout their academy instruction experience.
Upon graduation, they are assigned to field training.

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