DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
21st Century Policing Update
SUMMARY:
The Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing released in May 2015 set forth 76 law enforcement recommendation and action items designed to strengthen community policing and trust among law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Advancing 21st Century Policing Initiative, a collaboration between the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA), DOJ Community Oriented Policing Office and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, represents the culmination of the efforts of the President’s Task Force and will work closely with 15 law enforcement agencies from across the nation to offer technical assistance and support in the implementation of Task Force recommendations.
The SAPD will serve as an exemplary implementation model for law enforcement agencies across the country due to the work it has already done to improve the Department.
In response to the Report, Chief William McManus created six sub-committees, comprised of a broad cross section of the community, to explore opportunities for the SAPD to incorporate the Report’s recommendations and ensure that department strategies and practices align with its findings. Due in large measure to the reforms implemented over the last decade and the demonstrated commitment of the SAPD to work in coordination with the Department of Justice to remain at the national forefront of the police reform movement, the department was selected to participate in the Advancing 21st Century Policing Initiative.
The SAPD 21st Century Policing Implementation Committee, consisting of SAPD personnel and community leaders, is completing a review of recommendations that have been identified and the proposed implementation strategy for each. As CNA prepares to conduct its initial site visits and begin work, the Department will work with CNA to identify a suitable role for the Implementation Committee to ensure the work they have completed to date, as well as their future contributions, compliment the goals of the Initiative.
ISSUE:
Over the course of the 16 month Initiative, site visits will be conducted to complete a capacity assessment focused on the recommendations and action items, a review of self-assessment activities that have been undertaken by the Department will be completed and an action plan specifically tailored to San Antonio will be developed to include coaching, problem solving, training and technical assistance. The following are the three phases of the Initiative:
• Phase I: Assessment & Planning
• Phase II: Implementation & Technical Assistance
• Phase III: Development & Dissemination
At the conclusion of the Initiative, CNA will produce a 21st Century Policing Field Operations Guide that will feature lessons learned and highlight case studies of each of the 15 law enforcement agencies to serve as a “how to” resource for other cities.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Department continue with self-assessment activities that will contribute to development of an action plan for SAPD.