The Police Practices Work Group (PPG) shared its recommendations with County Manager Mark Schwartz at a virtual public meeting on Monday, Feb. 15.
The PPG was created to examine police practices in Arlington to be sure they are aligned with best practices. The County Manager-appointed work group spent six months exploring research, learning from subject matter experts and gathering stories and insights from the community through learning sessions, stakeholder roundtables, and online feedback.
The County Manager asked the PPG to focus on four key areas:
- Identifying potential models for creating a Civilian Review Board
- Understanding the role of police in traffic enforcement
- Exploring the role of the police department in providing mental health services
- Identifying potential models for alternative dispute resolution in our community
PPG Report Recommendations
The report includes over 100 recommendations across the four key areas. The recommendations are outlined in the full subcommittee report and include the following:
Creation of a Civilian Review Board: Key recommendations included adopting a hybrid system of civilian oversight, comprised of members of the Arlington community. Recommendations included suggestions on the authority, composition, roles, staffing, and training needed in the short and long term.
Police role in traffic enforcement: Recommendations focused on traffic data, traffic enforcement policy, equity in traffic enforcement, the use of engineering and technology, and traffic safety and education.
Police role in providing mental health services: Recommendations looked at providing both crisis mental health services and proactive mental health services. The subcommittee stressed the importance that both are needed to ensure that mental health supports are integrated into law enforcement, and that efforts to support individuals and families are in place to prevent mental health crisis scenarios long term.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: Recommendations focused on the culture of calling 9-1-1 and how it is used by members of the community. They also looked at models for alternative dispute resolution between law enforcement and the public, as well as between neighbors.
External Assessment
The County engaged law enforcement expert Marcia Thompson to conduct an external independent study to review policies on the use of force, training and supervision, cameras, recruitment and retention, internal affairs and data/statistics. The PPG will have the opportunity to review this external assessment following submission to the County in the next few weeks.