E-mail: pdadmin@palestine-tx.org

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Police Recruit Brochure

Citizens Police Academy Application

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Program Description

The Police Department is organized into three inter-related Bureaus responsible for preserving human life, maintaining public order, protecting the rights of persons and property, and enforcing all applicable laws and ordinances within the City of Palestine.

POLICE ADMINISTRATION provides overall leadership and direction and is responsible for the promulgation of policies and procedures that govern the operations and personnel activities of the entire department. Administration has defined a philosophical course of action toward professional community-oriented policing services.

    Goals

• Focus on reducing the rate of crime through crime prevention measures and educating the public through awareness.

• Update the Policies and Procedures of the Palestine Police Department, to more clearly define the current and future goals, expectations, appropriate conduct, and guidelines for the members of the department.

• Continue to provide officers with quality developmental training which will provide a more knowledgeable well developed officer capable of making good decisions that will aid in the development of sound criminal cases.

• Strive to foster good community relations, by providing timely and appropriate information benefiting the public welfare, and by reaching out to numerous organizations throughout the community with programs that will benefit the relationship between the public and the police that serve the community.

    Objectives

• Create Crime Prevention Team

• Create Crime Prevention Programs for Schools, Businesses, and Civic Organizations.

• Educate Senior Citizens through programs which identify likely risks that seniors will encounter from the criminal element.

• Develop Citizens on Patrol Academy to assist officers with identifying crime, and educating the citizenry regarding the state laws and ordinances of the City of Palestine.

• Conduct a semi-annual review by supervisory staff regarding all policy and procedures. Seek to change at least one policy for the betterment of the department during each meeting, whether that would mean revision, addition or subtraction.

• Develop specialized training program for advanced positions within the department which would seek to produce more advanced leadership within the department.

• Continue to analyze training needs of the department to better equip each officer for the challenges that they may face.

• Continue to conduct cost effective training while still maintaining level of instruction equal to the needs of department.

• Incorporate verbal tactics within patrol level encounters that help to de-escalate conflicts.

• Train for High Risk Encounters utilizing both Crisis Negotiation and Tactical Elements to bring about high probability of success regardless of mission.

• Open lines of communication by developing programs which seek to demystify the police officer as a threat to children. Thus dispelling the  feelings of fear within young children toward the police.

• Continue to allow accessibility to staff with regard to complaint process and seek to improve timeliness regarding the completion of the process.

• Seek to improve communications with citizenry through timely releases of information to media outlets.

• Increase first line supervisor oversight of employees to insure that professional standards are adhered to.

The PATROL DIVISION is comprised of patrol officers assigned to four twelve hour shifts. The Division is commanded by the Operations Chief of Police with each of the four shifts under the direct supervision of a Sergeant. The responsibilities of the Patrol Division includes but are not limited to responding to calls for service, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws and the apprehension of criminal offenders. The Patrol Division is the direct link to the citizens of Palestine. Each officer has the responsibility of engaging in problem-solving techniques that are tailored to the needs of our community.

Goals

• The Police Department, together with the community of Palestine, will strive to make our City a place all people can live, work and visit safely without fear. In carrying out this task we are committed to the philosophy of "community and neighborhood policing", recognizing that in order to achieve this goal we must maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity.
• Continue to provide police services: Seeking to improve our ability to identify and apprehend criminal offenders: Ensure safe and efficient traffic control resulting in increased awareness and continued reductions of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities.

Objectives

• Continuing utilizing random surveys, conducted in person by patrol personnel, citizen volunteers and civilian employees, to evaluate the level of citizen satisfaction with the delivery of police services. Address the "fear of crime" through positive interaction with citizens and participation in public meetings, forums and neighborhood meetings.
• Ensure that patrol officers and dispatchers are provided appropriate training opportunities to remain in compliance with TCLEOSE minimum requirements. Continue training and coaching our personnel to enhance their problem solving abilities as well as training to reinforce our commitment to high standards and ethics in our continuing search for excellence in policing.
• Continue our enhanced criminal warrant service activities with special emphasis on probation and parole violators who tend to be responsible for many repeat offenses. Effectively utilize the "CRIMES" network crime analysis reports, to target crime specific problems and better address community needs.
• Deploy innovative traffic control measures, based on research and analysis of traffic accident locations and areas with a high degree of non-compliance. To accomplish this objective we will employ enforcement, education, media blitzes and other coordinated efforts with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). We will conduct DWI task forces to assist in this goal. Upon reaching adequate staffing, ensure deployment of our two traffic enforcement officers.

The CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION is charged with conducting investigations resulting from criminal offenses reported within the City. In an average year the Division receives just under 4,000 cases, of which approximately 2,800 are sufficient for continued investigation. The Division currently consists of five investigators and a supervisor. Criminal investigation requires special skills and expertise. The Department provides training in promising innovative approaches and technology to maintain these abilities that improve our ability to solve crimes and arrest suspects. The Division is the link between the Department and the prosecutor's office, preparing and presenting cases for prosecution. The Division provides support services to other city agencies as well as other law enforcement agencies.

    Goals

• Improve our ability to identify and apprehend criminal offenders. Recognizing that through the use of new innovative technology, combined with modern, well-trained criminal investigators, our efforts to solve and prevent crimes will increase.

    Objectives

• Effectively utilize the crime analysis capabilities of our "CRIMES" computer network and the national "AFIS" (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) computer to increase the clearance rate of criminal offenses.
• Ensure that criminal investigation personnel are provided appropriate training opportunities to remain in compliance with TCLEOSE minimum requirements. In addition, identify and provide specialized training in areas including criminal investigation interview and interrogation, statement analysis and proactive crime prevention techniques.
• Continue to review and make changes as necessary to the division's case management system, providing timely updates to victims and complainants.

  Palestine Police Department Citizens Police Academy   

  The Palestine Police Department is currently planning a Citizens Police Academy to be held this September. The actual start date has not been set, however the Palestine Police Department is currently accepting applications.

  Interested citizens who live, work, or participate in community activities in Palestine are currently eligible. The nine week program is intended to be an outreach to the community to foster relationships, and understand the workings and processes of the Palestine Police Department.

  The program will cover topics from Police Administration to Patrol Procedures, Criminal Investigations, and Narcotics. There will be a tour of the Police Department as well as the Anderson County Jail. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to see what the officers must go through to qualify at the City’s Firearms Range.

  Application for the September Academy must be received no later than July 31^st to be considered for that class, and January 31^st for the following March Academy. Class size is currently limited to 20 participants. Click link below for application.

  Citizens Police Academy Application