17 - POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE/PLANNING/NEEDS

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a canine unit cannot be expected to perform as a line patrol unit. The cost of a unit is not just the animal, but the officer salary and vehicle for the officer to work out of. Crime Victim Support I think we can improve in the area of being more aware and supportive of our crime victims. In the day to day work of the department, our officers are very concerned about our victims, but in reality they are used to seeing victims every day, so that concern may not come across. This can lead to a perception by our citizens that we don't care about their problem or the hurt or fear they are working through. State law mandates a crime victim's coordinator officer and we are assisted in that area with a full time position in the Lamar County DA's office. That works great for those victims who reach the point in the investigation where charges are filed or the case is moving through the court system. It does not reach the many victims that the department is in contact with. I know of cases where the officers were doing the best they could, but the perception of not caring created division in our community. A crime victims coordinator could have stepped in to provide information and assistance to the victims while the officers concentrated on the criminal investigation. This position doesn't necessarily have to be a sworn officer. We are in an era of reforming police practices. Community policing and making sure that there is a connection between the police and the community it serves is one of the cornerstones developed in the presidential review of police practices. It is not important that your stats are dropping, it's important that the community knows it is safe and has trust in the local agency. Exchange Program with other Law Enforcement Agencies I have not been able to locate any police department that participate in this type of program. Liability concerns among other legal issues concerning enforcing city ordinances, discipline, arrest powers, worker's compensation insurance and finding someone who would be willing to make an exchange place a damper on pursuing this program. There are federal task forces, most concerned with drug or terrorism activities that invite outside departments to participate. Letting an officer getting involved in this type of program takes one away from our citizens. I feel that allowing officers to attend different training scenarios and conferences will add to the networking ability for new and innovative programs. Over - Staffing We need to be able to have a constant flow of officers in the pipeline to minimize the short staffing of the department. By authorizing two unfunded officer positions to what we have