HARVEST CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
International Police Organization Academy
Community Police Officers
The goal is for the community police officer to become a known, trusted, and accessible resource deeply embedded in the neighborhood they serve. Rather than just responding to calls for service, they take a proactive, collaborative approach to improve public safety and quality of life issues. For example, the Dallas Police Department has a Community Engagement Unit with teams of officers dedicated to targeted enforcement, investigations, and acting as liaisons to build relationships with residents and businesses in each area of the city.
Providing crime prevention advice and supporting multi-agency operations to address recurring issues CPOs are granted certain powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including the ability to issue Community Protection Notices (CPNs) to individuals or businesses whose unreasonable conduct is having a detrimental effect on the local community's quality of life.
The legal governing for community policing officers basis stems from the general authority given to police departments to implement community-based policing strategies, often supported by federal funding programs and resources. There are no specific laws that explicitly govern or mandate the use of community police officers. Community policing is a philosophy and organizational strategy adopted by law enforcement agencies, rather than dictated by laws.
Federal initiatives, programs, and bills that support or promote community policing strategies:
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The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 established the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) within the U.S. Department of Justice to provide grants and technical assistance for advancing community policing nationwide.
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The Department of Justice's Consent Decrees have sometimes required certain police departments to adopt community policing strategies as part of reform efforts.
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Executive Order 13929 in 2020 required law enforcement agencies to meet certain standards involving use of force policies to receive federal funding, indirectly promoting community policing principles.
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S. 994 (Peters, D-MI), the "Strong Communities Act," would establish a grant program to help build on the community-policing model.
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S. 2313 (Coons, D-DE), another "Strong Communities Act," would establish a grant program for local agencies to assist in recruiting officers from their own communities.
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S. 1530 (Graham, R-SC), the "COPS on the Beat Grant Program Parity Act," would allow underserved and rural communities greater flexibility to use COPS grants.
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Purpose and Mission
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To enhance transparency, accountability, and trust between the Dallas Police Department and the community.
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To provide a platform for community members to voice concerns and offer recommendations for police practices and policies.
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II. Organizational Structure
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Committee Composition
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Members: Community leaders, legal experts, representatives from Harvest Christian University, and other stakeholders.
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Leadership: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and other key roles.
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Subcommittees: Specific focus areas such as policy review, community outreach, and incident investigation.
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III. Roles and Responsibilities
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Oversight Functions
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Review and assess police practices, policies, and procedures.
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Investigate complaints and incidents involving police conduct.
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Provide recommendations for improvements and reforms.
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Monitor the implementation of recommended changes.
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Community Engagement
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Organize public forums and town hall meetings to gather community input.
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Develop educational programs and workshops on community policing.
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Foster partnerships with local organizations and advocacy groups.
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IV. Key Initiatives and Programs
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Policy Review and Recommendations
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Conduct comprehensive reviews of existing police policies.
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Develop and propose new policies to enhance community safety and trust.
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Incident Investigation and Reporting
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Establish a transparent process for investigating complaints against police officers.
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Publish regular reports on findings and recommendations.
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Training and Development
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Collaborate with the Dallas Police Department to develop training programs focused on de-escalation, cultural competency, and community relations.
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Provide ongoing education and training for committee members.
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Become a member of the Dallas Community Police Officers Oversight Committee. Your strength is needed to help shape a strong community thought and promote healthy relationship between our Police Law Enforcement Officers and the community in which they serve.
Membership Benefits
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Graduation Certificate,
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UNIPOLE Accreditation
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Membership ID Card
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Membership Certificate
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Golden UNIPOLE Badge
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Online Membership Listing
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Leather Badge wallet,
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UNIPOLE Membership Pin
IPOA . UNIPOL . IVBI
International Joint Operations
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Advanced Criminal Investigation Techniques
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Police Leadership and Management
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Crisis Management and Response
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Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Training
AFFILIATES & PARTNERS
V. Collaboration and Partnerships
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Harvest Christian University
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Provide academic and research support for the committee’s initiatives.
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Facilitate training and educational programs for both the committee and the police department.
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Community Organizations
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Partner with local advocacy groups, non-profits, and community leaders to ensure diverse perspectives and input.
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Engage with youth organizations to promote positive interactions between young people and law enforcement.
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VI. Accountability and Transparency
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Public Reporting
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Regularly publish reports on the committee’s activities, findings, and recommendations.
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Maintain an accessible online portal for community members to submit feedback and complaints.
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Performance Metrics
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Develop and track key performance indicators to measure the impact of the committee’s work.
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Conduct annual reviews to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
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VII. Future Goals and Vision
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Long-Term Objectives
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Establish a sustainable model for community police oversight that can be replicated in other cities.
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Foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration between the police department and the community.
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Expansion and Growth
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Explore opportunities to expand the committee’s scope and influence.
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Secure funding and resources to support ongoing initiatives and new projects.
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VIII. Conclusion
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Commitment to Change
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Reaffirm the committee’s dedication to promoting justice, equity, and accountability in policing.
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Encourage ongoing community involvement and support for the committee’s mission.
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This outline provides a structured framework for the Dallas Community Police Oversight Committee, highlighting its purpose, organizational structure, key initiatives, and commitment to fostering positive community-police relations. For more detailed information, it would be best to visit the official website of Harvest Christian University or contact their administration directly.