I. PURPOSE

To set forth Department policy and procedure regarding crime prevention and community services.

II. POLICY

The Department is committed to reducing crime through proactive crime prevention programs and providing quality law enforcement services to the citizens of Rock Hill. Input from the community is essential to ensure the proper delivery of those services. The Department will maintain close ties with the community and maintain a position of responsiveness to its needs.

III. PROCEDURES

A. Organization

1. The Community Services Unit serves as the community affairs and crime prevention component of the Department.
2. Specific duties and responsibilities of the Community Services Unit include coordination of the Crime Prevention/Community Programs identified in ¶C below, serving as Department liaison to the community, and identifying training needs through interviews with citizens, consultations with those involved in internal investigations, and conferences with other supervisors. <45.1.2 a.> Liaison responsibility includes publicizing Department objectives, problems, and successes. <45.2.1 c.>
3. The Community Services Unit works in close cooperation with operational components to support and facilitate the crime prevention function of the Department. <45.2.1 b.>
4. The development and implementation of crime prevention and community affairs programs is determined by the needs of the community. The following is considered:
   1. Crime type and geographic area on the basis of crime analysis; <45.1.1 a.>
   2. Community perceptions or misconceptions of crime; and <45.1.1 b.>
   3. Requests from the community for crime prevention programs and support.
5. The Department will actively seek the opportunity to participate in the development and/or revision of zoning policies, building codes, fire codes and residential and commercial building permits. This will ensure crime prevention concerns are addressed prior to construction. <45.1.3>

B. Responsibility

The responsibility for achieving the Department's community service objectives and assisting in the development of community policing strategies is shared by all Department members. Department members are expected to participate in community services and crime prevention programs. Community involvement is a factor considered in rating each Department member's performance during each rating period. <45.1.2 e.>

C. Crime Prevention/Community Programs

1. Neighborhood Watch: A program consisting of groups within neighborhoods, organized for the purpose of increasing awareness of social trends and to provide current solutions with special emphasis on reduction of specific crime issues in that area. Officers and staff assist Neighborhood Empowerment personnel when requested at Neighborhood Watch meetings.
   1. Establishing liaison with existing community organizations and assisting with establishing new groups; <45.1.2 a.>
   2. Assisting in the development of community involvement policies; <45.1.2 b.>
   3. Publicizing objectives, community problems, and successes; <45.1.2 c.>
   4. Communicating crime trends and problems between citizens and businesses; and <45.1.2 d.>
   5. Supporting practices bearing on police and community interactions. <45.1.2 e.>
2. School Resource Officers: The Department also certified SRO's to the middle and high schools, whose duties include law enforcement, counseling of students and parents, and instructing integrated educational curriculum of criminal justice and other related topics <44.2.4>
3. Community Service Officers: Community Service Officers are assigned to specific areas within the City of Rock Hill and act as a liaison between the Department and local residents and business owners. <45.1.2 a.>
4. Worthy Boys and Girls Camp: A summer camp for children ages 9-12 operated in partnership between the Department and other community sponsors.  Department members volunteer to operate the camp, which is supported by private donations. Campers pay nothing to attend one-week sessions with summer recreational activities, safety, and crime prevention classes.  <44.2.5>
5. Gun Safety: A program which provides gun safety education presentations and gun locks to the public free of charge.
6. Security Surveys: Residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial inspections of buildings and property are conducted for security recommendations relating to potential criminal activity.
7. Child Fingerprinting: A program which includes an identification card containing fingerprints of children. Parents can retain the card and provide to law enforcement in cases of child abduction/missing/runaway. <44.2.4><44.2.5> 
8. Speakers Bureau: Coordinate the provision of speakers to community groups on a variety of law enforcement related topics. <44.2.4>
9. Tours of the Law Center are provided to community groups. <44.2.4>
10. Community Education: Active shooter/disaster response education for civilians is held free of charge for various community groups or places of business.  Specifically trained instructors provide information on disaster response psychology, survival strategies, and police interactions in the event of an active shooter or other major incident.
11. Safety Patrol: Through a partnership with AAA, the Youth Services Officer assists with the coordination of Safety Patrol programs at the elementary schools within the City of Rock Hill. <44.2.4>

D. Reporting <45.1.1 c.>

1. The Community Services Supervisor evaluates the effectiveness of community involvement and the crime prevention program annually and makes recommendations for programmatic, procedural, and training changes to the Chief of Police through the chain of command. <45.2.1 a.><45.2.1 b.><45.2.1 c.><45.2.1 d.><45.2.1 e.>
2. The Community Services Supervisor provides a quarterly report to the Chief of Police through the chain of command on community involvement and services, including: <45.2.1 e.>
   1. A description of community concerns and problems voiced by the public, and recommended solutions to those concerns; <45.2.1 a.><45.2.1 c.>
   2. A description of potential problems which may affect law enforcement in the community; <45.2.1 b.>
   3. A statement of recommendations and progress made toward addressing previously identified concerns; and <45.2.1 c.><45.2.1 d.>
   4. A description of community activities, speeches, and presentations by the Department, detailing the number of community contacts.
   5. Department members may provide information relevant to this report to the Community Services Supervisor as it comes to their attention for inclusion in the next quarterly report. <45.2.1 e.> 
3. Citizen surveys are conducted at least every two (2) years to ascertain the level of service provided to the community with respect to:
   1. Overall Department performance; <45.2.2 a.> 
   2. Overall competence of Department employees; <45.2.2 b.> 
   3. Officers' attitudes and behavior toward citizens; <45.2.2 c.>
   4. Community concerns about safety and security in the Department's jurisdiction as a whole; and <45.2.2 d.>
   5. Recommendations and suggestions for improvement. <45.2.2 e.> 
   A written summary of results of the Citizen Survey will be forwarded to the Chief of Police for review upon completion. <45.2.2 f.>

BY ORDER OF: 

Chris Watts
Chief of Police

<CALEA Standards: 44.2.4, 44.2.5, 45.1.1, 45.1.2, 45.1.3, 5.2.1 & 45.2.2, >