Commitment to Community

COMMITMENT
TO COMMUNITY

Tallahassee Police Department

The state of modern policing is the current focus of nationwide discussions. Locally, these are conversations Tallahassee has been having for some time. In line with Chief Revell’s vision for the agency, efforts are underway to enhance citizen engagement and open channels of communication. TPD is actively working to strengthen transparency, build bonds with residents and find solutions to community concerns, while providing the resources and support officers need to ensure public safety. In support of those efforts, an overview that highlights TPD’s recent accomplishments, high-profile projects and upcoming initiatives, as well as pertinent policies and procedures, follows.

Additionally, with its commitment to community at the forefront, TPD has heard the calls for change, and many of the items requested by the community are already in place or currently being incorporated. More information regarding these items, many of which fall under the nationwide Eight Can’t Wait concept, is also below.

OUR POLICIES

TPD is committed to transparency. In July of 2020, our internal policies were made available online for the public, which expanded our previous practice of always making policies available to the public upon request. Comprehensive policies regarding use of force, body worn cameras, intentional discharging of a firearm, allegations of misconduct and disciplinary protocols are publicly accessible at Talgov.com/TPDPolicies.

Policies that citizens have searched for most frequently include:

CHOKE HOLDS & THIGH LOCK RESTRAINTS

The EVNR (Enhanced Vascular Neck Restraint), which is commonly referred to as a “choke hold,” was banned by TPD nearly five years ago.

On June 4, 2020, the thigh lock restraint technique was suspended from use.

DE-ESCALATION

Fair and Impartial Policing, Implicit Bias, and De-escalation Training is an eight-hour course that focuses on how our biases affect the way we interact with citizens. TPD sent the entire department, as well as members of our community, through this training five years ago and currently has it scheduled again for 2021 . To keep these principles fresh for officers, they are also included in TPD’s annual 40-hour in-service training. De-escalation is required whenever practical, and this is incorporated into all scenario training. De-escalation is included throughout TPD’s policies, specifically in General Order 60 Response to Resistance (Use of Force).

WARNING BEFORE SHOOTING

A verbal warning before shooting is required when feasible. It is important for the public to understand that these dangerous scenarios typically evolve quickly, which is why TPD conducts rigorous training to help officers who may be faced with split-second decisions.

SHOOTING AT MOVING VEHICLES

Shooting at or from moving vehicles is strongly discouraged as this enhances risk to the community. Shooting into a moving vehicle involves a possible risk of death or serious injury to innocent persons and uninvolved or less involved passengers. Additionally, the safety of innocent people can be jeopardized when a suspect is disabled and loses control of the vehicle.

EXHAUST ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SHOOTING

All individuals are provided an opportunity to peaceably submit to arrest before force is used. TPD is in the process of strengthening policy language and training related to when an officer fires their weapon. This could include requiring all officers to consider/exhaust all alternatives before shooting when objectively reasonable, which is in line with updated standards being considered nationwide.

DUTY TO INTERVENE

Although implied previously in TPD’s policies, we have added specific language requiring a Duty to Intervene to clearly define expectations that officers shall stop or prevent any violation of law or policy.

SUPPORTING OFFICERS

CISD (Critical Incident Stress De-Briefing) is mandatory for officers after certain traumatic incidents, which could include homicides, incidents involving children or other similarly upsetting situations. CISD provides professional help and a safe space for officers to discuss the incident. It seeks to lessen compounded stress and its potential effects.

Annual psychological visits are mandatory for certain positions within the department. This includes many of our specialized units, like TAC and forensics.

COMPREHENSIVE REPORTING

When there is any kind of use of force by an officer, a comprehensive, written report is mandatory. This report is reviewed at multiple levels, including by a Sergeant, a Lieutenant, Internal Affairs and Legal. If any injury occurs, the Bureau Commander and Legal Advisor also are required to review the report. Our Training section does a yearly review of these reports to identify any trends or patterns that may form. This help us modify or enhance training for our officers.

Body worn cameras are mandatory for every sworn member below the rank of Major. TPD’s body camera technology employs a “Signal Side Arm” function, which activates the camera whenever a firearm or taser is removed from its holster. The body camera can also be manually activated by the officer. TPD’s body-worn Camera Policy specifically addresses recording and retention.

Internal Affairs provides an annual review of all use of force incidents.

Additionally, TPD has an early intervention program that alerts leadership if officers are receiving multiple complaints. Most of these alerts are set at 2-3 complaints for specific complaint types. These are reviewed yearly in the Internal Affairs report.

Forward View

“Signal Vehicle” will soon be implemented, which activates the body camera when an officer turns on the lights/siren and when the shotgun is removed from its rack. This technology is currently being purchased. Four are being shipped for training and evaluation.
TPD is developing a yearly officer review that will include a report on complaints, arrests, training and more, which will be published publicly.
A Police Citizens Review Board, which is being established by the City Commission, will perform after-the-fact reviews of officer involved shootings and provide recommendations as to best practices.
New digital resources are being created to increasing accessibility and engagement. TPD worked with students and community members to develop the interaction submission portal, which is accessible now at Talgov.com/TPD, and the forthcoming app version.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Internal and External Branch was created earlier this year to enhance transparency and engagement, both internally and externally. Among other projects, this branch will oversee three vital initiatives.

Citizens Advisory Council – This is a group of 30 citizens from all areas of our community who will act as a conduit between the department and community to keep the channels of communication open. Transparency is the ultimate goal. The group participated in its first workshop in August; this focused on Use of Force. Its next meeting is being scheduled in September and will focus on TOPIC.
Youth Citizens Advisory Council – The goal of this group is the same as the CAC. Hearing directly from our youth will provide a different perspective as they face different challenges. More than 90 students applied to participate, and we hope to hold the first meeting in September.
Officer Wellness Committee – This is an internal program that focuses on the officers’ overall health (physical, mental, social and spiritual).

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) is a nationwide training that helps officers who respond to calls that involve those who are mentally ill. Over 180 TPD officers have taken this training, and it is our goal to have every officer CIT trained.

TPD has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Apalachee Center to use the Mobile Response Team. TPD is also working with Housing & Community Resilience, TFD, the Apalachee Center and others on a comprehensive Emergency Mental Health Initiative that will be presented by Director Abena Ojetayo.

2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CHIEF REVELL

In January 2020, Chief Lawrence Revell took the helm. With a clear vision for the department, he took immediate action to build a core Command Staff and began the internal promotion process to fill key roles throughout the agency, keeping in mind diversity and inclusion at all ranks. Promotions have recently been announced for 24 Sergeants and eight Lieutenants. Following robust community outreach in 2019, plans are moving forward toward the construction of TPD’s new headquarters facility on the Northwood Center site.

Items discussed throughout this update align with many of the objectives listed under the Public Safety, Impact of Poverty and Organizational Effectiveness priority areas of the City’s FY 2020-2024 Strategic Plan:

2A-4: 100 TEMPO participants that have found employment paying a “fair” or “living” wage job.
2A-I1: Enhance partnerships with community reentry programs.
2A-I2: Promote the City’s Explore Program and Junior Cadet Program.
2D-I2: Cultivate partnerships to further the implementation of wellness programs.
3A-I2: Have a City workforce that is reflective of community’s demographics.
5A-2: Number of community-oriented policing activities held annually.
5A-3: Number of Community Liaison Officers deployed.
5B-2: Reduce vehicle burglaries through crime prevention and community partnerships to reduce the number of stolen firearms.
5B-3. Reduce violent crimes by partnering with community leaders and other law enforcement agencies.
5C-I1: Increase annual community-oriented policing, sensitivity, fair and impartial policing, and de-escalation training for TPD officers.
5D-I1: Implementation of license plate reader (LPR) technology at strategic locations in the city to enhance traffic and public safety.
5D-I2: Enhance City capabilities to proactively detect criminal activity.
5F-1: Complete construction and begin operations at the new Public Safety Campus by 2024.

Below are recent updates and accomplishments from each of TPD’s three branches, as well as some forward-looking items.

INTERAL/EXTERNAL-DC SMITH

Citizens Advisory Council – This is a group of 30 citizens from all areas of our community who act as a conduit between the department and community to keep the channels of communication open. The group participated in its first workshop in August; this focused on Use of Force. Its next meeting is being scheduled in September.
Youth Citizens Advisory Council – The goal of this group is the same as the CAC. Hearing directly from our youth will provide a different perspective as they face different challenges. More than 90 students applied to participate, and we hope to hold the first meeting in September.
Officer Wellness Committee – This is an internal program that focuses on officers’ overall health (physical, mental, social and spiritual). Twelve team members have been selected to help cultivate this initiative.

To help bridge a gap for at-risk youth, TPD is proud to support the New Start Scholarship Fund, which provides college / vocational scholarships for at-risk youth. Chief Revell recently presented a $10,000 contribution on behalf of TPD to this scholarship fund.

TPD has also hosted numerous events this year (with health safety measures in place) to strengthen relationships in the community, including:

Conversation with the Deputy Chief, held at Old West Florida Church on June 25 to meet in person with residents of the Greater Bond Neighborhood. This was the first in a series of neighborhood-focused meetings.
Lunch with TPD, held at Leon Arms Apartment Complex on July 11 to provide masks, a meal and meet with neighbors. Approximately 100 people attended.
Conversation with the Deputy Chief, held at Walker-Ford Community Center on July 16 to continue dialogue with residents in the Greater Bond Neighborhood. To encourage attendance, this was held on opening day for the Southside Farmers Market’s 2020 season; the popular market is also held at Walker-Ford.
Snowballs and Cops, held at Goodbread Hills and Springfield Apartments on July 30. With Big Easy Snowballs, TPD treated approximately 125 kids and their parents to a sweet treat.
Pack the Patrol Car School Supply Drive, held on August 1 at West Marine to collect school supplies from local students in need.
Conversation with the Deputy Chief, held at Jake Gaither Community Center on August 6 to discuss concerns and issues with residents of the Silver Ridge, Tuskegee, Jake Gaither and Liberty Park neighborhoods.
Okaloosa Street resident meetings that led to collaboration with the City’s Traffic Engineering and resulted in “No Parking Signs” being posted and the painting of curbs to yellow.
Ongoing Lake Ella business outreach to address trespassing issues. TPD obtained multiple TPW Letters from business owners at the Lake Ella Cottages.
Partnership with Bass Pro Shop, which donated fishing reels and rods for our COPS and BOBBERS program for next year. This program helps teach young anglers how to fish, while providing positive interaction with law enforcement.

Forward View: TPD recently hired a civilian Digital Media Manager / PIO to help enhance communication and transparency efforts with the public and within the agency. Alicia Turner was selected from a pool of highly qualified candidates. She is scheduled to start in September 2020.

OPERATIONS-DC HOLMES

TPD placed within the top three agencies statewide (in its size category) in the Florida Law Enforcement Liaison Traffic Safety Challenge. This recognized our efforts in developing and implementing a comprehensive traffic safety program that makes a significant and positive impact by reducing traffic-related crashes, injuries and fatalities. This was based almost solely on TPD’s Traffic Unit’s statistics and prevention classes.

TPD has worked consistently with local protest leaders to ensure peaceful demonstrations. Due to officers’ engagement, there has been very minimal property damage and only two reported incidents with violence. In both, officers took swift action in accordance with their training to de-escalate the situations and take possible offenders into custody while the incidents were investigated.

For more routine elements, implementing call diversion for non-emergency situations has allowed patrol officers more time to commit toward proactive patrols and community outreach. Additionally, TPD expanded its online reporting options for citizens and is continuing to look at ways to enhance these functions.

Two TPD officers have been assigned to the newly created Tactical Flight Unit to work in collaboration with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Division. This will expand the hours of operation for the Aviation Unit.

Forward View:

TPD’s new Community Service Technician program is moving forward. Eight CSTs are moving through the hiring and training process. Thanks to our partnership with the City’s TEMPO program, two of the incoming CSTs are TEMPO graduates. In support of the Commission’s adopted Clean Energy Resolution, eight Chevy Volts have been purchased for CST use, with “docking” (fueling) stations, which will be installed at TPD and also available for citizens to use.
Once promotions are complete, TPD will move to a quadrant system for patrol. This is anticipated to occur this fall.
Community Liaison Officers – 20 specially trained officers will be assigned to Patrol Squads as direct communicators with citizens and community leaders.

SUPPORT-DC LAURSEN

TPD’s Violent Crimes Unit has been selected for a very prestigious international award. We have been asked not to share the details of this award until they have officially announced it, which should occur next month. Entries are received from agencies around the globe.

In February, the Tallahassee Board of Realtors, in partnership with Scent Evidence K9, donated a bloodhound canine and the associated training for the canine and handler. Jon Jon, the bloodhound, will be used to search for missing persons, as well as evidence in various crimes. He is due to complete training and become certified in September.

Working in conjunction with residents, Public Safety Cameras were installed in the Griffin Heights and Frenchtown neighborhoods during the last year. This expanded an already successful program that launched in the Greater Bond Neighborhood. Below is an overview of current camera distribution in the community:

11 camera locations in the Greater Bond Neighborhood
7 camera locations in the Griffin Heights/Greater Frenchtown area

Within the 18 locations noted above (in Greater Bond, Griffin Heights and Greater Frenchtown), there are 42 individual cameras installed.

20 traffic cameras incorporated into the program

In FY21, we plan to expand the Public Safety Camera program, per community request, into the Providence and South City neighborhoods. With this expansion, we anticipate adding approximately 15 camera locations. Additionally, 30 traffic cameras will be incorporated in the coming year.

The License Plate Reader program is up and running. We are in the process of training and giving access to more members of the department.

TPD continues to nurture productive, collaborative working relationships with other law enforcement agencies and community and faith leaders. Of note, TPD has joined the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) task force with DEA, LCSO and FDLE.

Forward View: Through the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), TPD will be connected to the Public Safety Camera systems, LPR, CDA and statewide law enforcement agency records to obtain real time information to pass along to officers. We anticipate a go-live date in early 2021. We will continue to coordinate with LCSO’s RTCC and review potential co-locations until the new TPD facility is built. TPD will purposely build RTCC with interagency capacity into the design of the new building.

Engage with us!

Strong relationships make a strong community. Below are several ways residents can connect with TPD.

Talgov.com/TPD
Talgov.com is the City's official website. It provides volumes of information about every service that the City provides.

Facebook/TallyPD

Twitter/TallyPD

Call 850-891-4200