Community Relations

Policy & Procedures                  No. 1.17
                                              a                                                                                             1           Subject:
       a1
                                                                                                    1                           i     Community Relations

                                             i
                          ted               Issuing Authority:                                      Effective Date:  Review Date:                                                  4

                                                           1
                     Chief of Police                     10/30/2013   09/11/2023

                                                                                      References:
  Review   08/04/2017   7/31/2020
 Revision
 Reissued
 Dates:

CALEA STANDARDS
45.2.1

             GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES

In order to operate effectively, the Canton Police Department must have the support of the
people who live and work within the community. The information citizens receive through the
media is helpful in making them aware of Department activities, but it does not necessarily
generate the support that is required. This can only be achieved through an on-going and
meaningful Community Relations Program.

Community Relations involves joint problem solving with the Department and the community as
a whole.  It requires public input into the planning process for new as well as old programs, and it
encourages the constructive participation of residents and business people in seeking alternatives
to ineffective or unproductive policing practices. The position of Community Relations
Officer has been created to help serve as a liaison with existing community organizations
and to identify current community concerns and to establish community groups where
needed.  45.2.1 (3A)

The programs and practices of the Community Relations Officer go far in serving the interests of
both the Department and the community. Also, the important daily responsibilities of officers
assigned to Patrol prescribe a positive approach to individual situations and matters that
transcend into a favorable Community Relations posture for the Department.

However, in order to ensure that this public input encompasses all segments of the community, it
is necessary to develop methods of obtaining, retaining, evaluating, and utilizing information
received from these segments. The responsibility for the coordination and control of any formal
plan lies directly with the Chief of Police through the Administrative Division. However,
personnel at all levels share Community Relations responsibilities on an informal basis.

          Canton Police Department’s Community Relations Policy                      Page 1

PROCEDURES

I.    REPORTING: As a regular part of Supervisor Staff Meetings, the Chief of Police will
       request information on:

      A. Current known concerns expressed by members of the community; 45.2.1 (3A)

       B. Potential problems that could have a bearing on law enforcement activities within the
          community; and,

      C. Recommended actions that address previously identified concerns and problems; develop
         problem oriented or community policing strategies. 45.2.1 (3B,C)

            The Chief will duly note all information and, if necessary, assign a superior
                officer to work with the Community Liaison Officer to assist in alleviating any
              problem(s) in a timely and positive manner. 45.2.1 (3B)

II.   URGENT CONCERNS: All officers shall be required to report any public concerns of
       an urgent nature to their immediate superior upon gaining knowledge of the situation.
       These types of concerns include, but are not limited to, potential racial unrest, teenage
        conflicts of an intra or inter community nature, potential labor/management conflicts
       within the community that could result in violence, and neighborhood tensions which
       have the potential to result in violence.

      The information shall be passed on to the Chief of Police through normal channels of the
       chain of command and it will be the Chief’s responsibility to develop a plan which will
       attempt to diffuse or alleviate the situation before it becomes critical.

III.  ANNUAL EVALUATIONS: On an annual basis the Chief of Police, using feedback
      from the Community Relations Officer, will seek to receive feedback from the public on
       such issues as:  45.2.1 (3C)

      A. Overall Department performance;

       B. Overall competence of Department employees;

      C. Officer’s attitude and behavior towards citizens;

      D. Concern over safety and security within the community as a whole and,

       E. Any recommendations and suggestions for improvements.

      The Community Relations Officer may compile this information from written surveys,
       casual conversation with citizens, neighborhood meetings and/or from feedback from
       fellow officers. Information will then be forwarded to the Lieutenant in Charge of the
      Community Relations. Upon receipt and compilation of the data, the Chief will identify

          Canton Police Department’s Community Relations Policy                      Page 2

the problem areas and seek to eradicate them through training, policy change, or other
        satisfactory means. 45.2.4

IV.  COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: All officers shall be encouraged to hold
      membership in community-based organizations or to be involved in these organizations at
      some level.

       Membership/participation in these groups will often subject an officer to both positive and
       negative feedback regarding Department activity. Rather than ignore or excuse any
       complaints, officers are encouraged to report any incidents that appear to be valid through
       the Department chain of command. The Chief of Police will note all information and, if
       necessary, take positive steps to eradicate the problem through training, policy change, or
       other satisfactory means.

V.   PROGRAM EVALUATION: The Chief of Police shall evaluate all Community
       Policing programs and activities on a regular basis. 45.2.1 (3C)

          Canton Police Department’s Community Relations Policy                      Page 3