Pillar Four

Pillar 4

Community Policing & Crime Reduction

Recommendation:

Law enforcement agencies should develop and adopt policies and strategies that reinforce the importance of community engagement in managing public safety.

The Memphis Police Department has adopted policies and strategies to enhance community engagement and public safety. The department provides community policing training on an annual basis, participates in community meetings, and has a unit, the Community Outreach Program (COP), specifically designated to engage with community groups.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should consider adopting preferences for seeking “least harm” resolutions, such as diversion programs or warnings and citations in lieu of arrest for minor infractions.

The department allows for officers to issue either verbal or written warnings for minor traffic violations. However, for infractions that result in hazardous conditions, officers are not permitted to issue a warning and should issue a traffic citation.

Officers are also allowed to issue misdemeanor citations for most misdemeanor offenses instead of transporting the offender to jail.

When interacting with juveniles, the department policy prefers that officers use the least restrictive methods possible and provides additional options as opposed to arrest. Juveniles may be referred to a diversion program through the Shelby County Juvenile Court System.

Recommendation:

Community policing should be infused throughout the culture and organizational structure of law enforcement agencies.

The department has demonstrated a commitment to infusing the concept of community policing throughout its structure and culture. The department has a dedicated unit, COP, that is primarily tasked with interacting with members of the community and hosting programs that provide positive interactions with law enforcement. In addition, members of each precinct participate in an assortment of community events.

The concept of community policing is infused in department culture through initial training in the basic law enforcement course and ongoing training during in-service. In addition, officers are given opportunities to interact with the community in an environment that is not related to enforcement activities, such as National Night Out and Coffee with a Cop.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should evaluate officers on their efforts to engage members of the community and the partnerships they build. Making this part of the performance evaluation process places an increased value on developing partnerships

The Memphis Police Department conducts annual evaluations which evaluates officers on “dealing with the public.” This performance section looks at the officer’s ability to interact with the public in a respectful and tactful manner during the course of their duties. Positive observed behavior reports (OBR) and letters of thanks or commendations are used to support this section of the evaluation.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should evaluate their patrol deployment practices to allow sufficient time for patrol officers to participate in problem-solving and community engagement activities.

As events occur, MPD assigns officers to attend problem-solving and community engagement activities. Most precincts have an officer assigned to Neighborhood Watch, and some also have a community policing officer. Additional officers are utilized for different events as needed as manpower allows.

Action Item:

The U.S. Department of Justice and other public and private entities should support research into the factors that have led to dramatic successes in crime reduction in some communities through the infusion of non-discriminatory policing and to determine replicable factors that could be used to guide law enforcement agencies in other communities.

The Memphis Police Department has participated in an assortment of studies that can be used to guide agencies in other jurisdictions. However, none of these studies to date have addressed non-discriminatory policing.

Recommendation:

Law enforcement agencies should engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementing, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors.

The department participates in an assortment of teams for responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors. The department uses a team approach in its response to domestic violence through a partnership with the Shelby County Family Safety Center, which provides assistance, such as emergency shelter and the acquisition of civil orders of protection. The department participates in an interdisciplinary team in its response to both child abuse and elder abuse. The department works with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency and an assortment of state agencies in preparing for responses to natural disasters.

Action Item:

Communities should look to involve peer support counselors as part of multidisciplinary teams when appropriate. Persons who have experienced the same trauma can provide both insight to the first responders and immediate support to individuals in crisis.

The department has a team of specially trained peer support officers that help officers, and members of the community in dealing with critical incident stress. We have also partnered with the Tennessee Public Safety Network and sent officers through training to assist other departments in critical incident debriefings.

The department hosts critical incident debriefing for officers. The debriefings are attended by a multidisciplinary team composed of members from the community, which includes peer counselors, mental health professionals, and clergy. The meetings are hosted by a local, un-disclosed facility within the community.

Action Item:

Communities should be encouraged to evaluate the efficacy of these crisis intervention team approaches and hold agency leaders accountable for outcomes.

Data is made available for the review of crisis intervention teams for the public to evaluate the results, which can be used for the accountability of the leaders.

Recommendation:

Communities should support a culture and practice of policing that reflects the values of protection and promotion of the dignity of all, especially the most vulnerable.

The Memphis Police Department supports a culture and practice of policing with the values of protecting and promoting the dignity of all. Department members strive to respect individual rights and show courtesy when interacting with the citizens of Memphis. The department strives to maintain an “environment of public safety recognized for its intolerance for crime and its compassion and responsiveness to the needs, rights, and expectations of all citizens, employees, and visitors,” especially the most vulnerable in the city.

Action Item:

Because offensive or harsh language can escalate a minor situation, law enforcement agencies should underscore the importance of language used and adopt policies directing officers to speak to individuals with respect.

The department has adopted a policy that requires all employees to treat others with courtesy and respect whenever possible. Failure to adhere to the policy can result in disciplinary action.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should develop programs that create opportunities for patrol officers to regularly interact with neighborhood residents, faith leaders, and business leaders.

Patrol officers primarily interact with residents and business leaders during their regular tour of duty. They also attend community meetings, such as Business Watch, Neighborhood Watch and apartment manager meetings. Faith leaders are invited to address officers during roll calls, and the department encourages faith organizations to invite officers to attend events and functions. Community members also hold meetings at various department facilities.

Recommendation:

Community policing emphasizes working with neighborhood residents to co-produce public safety. Law enforcement agencies should work with community residents to identify problems and collaborate on implementing solutions that produce meaningful results for the community.

The COP unit officers regularly work with residents to help improve public safety. The Neighborhood Watch coordinators for each station are continually working with residents in their areas to help reduce crime. In addition to the Neighborhood Watch meetings, they plan events where the communities can come out, participate, and interact with officers. During these events, residents can communicate their concerns and help identify problems they have in their neighborhoods. Directed patrols are also tools that the department encourages residents to use to help report possible criminal activity. There is also a complaint team that follows up on complaints received. Citizens can submit a complaint of criminal activity in-person, over the phone, or anonymously via the department’s website.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should schedule regular forums and meetings where all community members can interact with police and help influence programs and policy.

The department schedules an annual meeting with representatives of the media with the intention of reviewing policy. The department also participates in periodic forums where the public is invited to provide input and feedback.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should engage youth and communities in joint training with law enforcement, citizen academies, ride-alongs, problem solving teams, community action teams, and quality of life teams.

The department conducts a citizens’ police academy to better educate members of the public related to police operations. A component of this academy is a ride-along with a patrol officer. The department also conducts a clergy academy. The clergy academy is primarily focused on developing partnerships with leaders in the faith community. All citizens are eligible to request a ride-along, even without participating in one of the academies. There is also an Explorer Post, where youth learn about the criminal justice system and law enforcement in the hopes that they will continue with their law enforcement education and careers.

The department participates in an assortment of teams to engage with the community to solve problems and improve the quality of life of all persons within the Memphis area. These teams specialize in elder abuse, juvenile abuse, domestic violence, and assistance to persons with mental disabilities. The department has demonstrated a commitment to engage with external stakeholders to improve the quality of life for all persons.

The department also engages the community in joint training in a variety of situations, such as active shooter scenarios.

Action Item

Law enforcement agencies should establish formal community/citizen advisory committees to assist in developing crime prevention strategies and agency policies as well as provide input on policing issues.

The department does not currently have a formal community/citizen advisory committee to assist in the development of crime prevention strategies or policies. However, CLERB is frequently consulted regarding issues related to policies and crime prevention strategies.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should adopt community policing strategies that support and work in concert with economic development efforts within communities.

The department has adopted community policing strategies that support and work in concert with economic development efforts within communities. The department has located CoACT offices in economically deprived areas in the past to help improve issues and relationships with law enforcement in those areas. The department recently relocated one precinct to an area to support the economic development efforts of an underdeveloped area.

Recommendation:

Communities should adopt policies and programs that address the needs of children and youth most at risk for crime or violence and reduce aggressive law enforcement tactics that stigmatize youth and marginalize their participation in schools and communities.

The department runs the DARE/GREAT programs in middle schools located in at-risk areas of the city and encourages youth to remain drug–free.  The COP unit also runs programs in at-risk areas where youth are encouraged to pledge to, become productive citizens, complete  heir education, become leaders, avoid drugs and violence, and stay out of jail. The department also recommends youth to the SHAPE diversion program.

Action Item:

Education and criminal justice agencies at all levels of government should work together to reform policies and procedures that push children into the juvenile justice system.

The department has agreed to participate in the School House Adjustment Program Enterprise (SHAPE) as an alternative to students being referred to the Shelby County Juvenile Court when students commit low-level delinquent acts while in school. The department also collaborates with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and Shelby County Juvenile Court related to the development of MPD policies concerning the handling of juvenile offenders.

Action Item:

In order to keep youth in school and to keep them from criminal and violent behavior, law enforcement agencies should work with schools to encourage the creation of alternatives to student suspensions and expulsion through restorative justice, diversion, counseling, and family interventions.

MPD does not engage the schools in alternatives to suspension or expulsion because the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is the school system’s primary law enforcement contact.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should work with schools to encourage the use of alternative strategies that involve youth in decision making, such as restorative justice, youth courts, and peer interventions.

The department has agreed to participate in SHAPE, which consists of restorative justice by providing the students with training related to soft skills, such as aggression replacement and moral reasoning. However, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is the school system’s primary law enforcement contact.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should work with schools to adopt an instructional approach to discipline that uses interventions or disciplinary consequences to help students develop new behavior skills and positive strategies to avoid conflict, redirect energy, and refocus on learning.

The Memphis Police Department does not engage with schools related to the schools’ approaches to discipline, interventions, or disciplinary consequences because the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is the school system’s primary law enforcement contact.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should work with schools to develop and monitor school discipline policies with input and collaboration from school personnel, students, families, and community members. These policies should prohibit the use of corporal punishment and electronic control devices.

The Memphis Police Department does not work with schools to address discipline policies. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is the Shelby County School’s primary law enforcement contact. The SCSO provides school resource officers and other needed support.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should work with schools to create a continuum of developmentally appropriate and proportional consequences for addressing ongoing and escalating student misbehavior after all appropriate interventions have been attempted.

 The Memphis Police Department does not work with schools to address discipline policies. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is the Shelby County School’s primary law enforcement contact. The SCSO provides school resource officers and other needed support.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies should work with communities to play a role in programs and procedures to reintegrate juveniles back into their communities as they leave the juvenile justice system.

The department does not participate in the reintegration of juveniles into communities as they leave the juvenile justice system. This is a corrections function and the responsibility of the Shelby County Juvenile Court.

Action Item:

Law enforcement agencies and schools should establish memoranda of agreement for the placement of School Resource Officers that limit police involvement in student discipline.

The department does not deploy school resource officers. The function of school resource officer is the responsibility of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Recommendation:

Communities need to affirm and recognize the voices of youth in community decision making, facilitate youth-led research and problem solving, and develop and fund youth leadership training and life skills through positive youth/police collaboration and interactions.

The Community Outreach Program (COP) unit runs programs in at-risk areas where youth are encouraged to pledge to become productive citizens, get their education, become leaders, avoid drugs and violence, and stay out of jail.

The department also has an Explorer Post, where youth learn about the criminal justice system and law enforcement in the hopes that they will continue with their law enforcement education and careers.

Action Item:

Communities and law enforcement agencies should restore and build trust between youth and police by creating programs and projects for positive, consistent, and persistent interaction between youth and police.

The department currently participates in both the DARE and GREAT programs. The department also conducts other activities, such as the Memphis/Shelby County Police Activities League (P.A.L.), summer camps, and COP Unit programs, to engage youth. These programs provide positive, consistent, and persistent interaction between the participating youth and law enforcement personnel.