Public Input Requested on Community Policing
Mayor Rybak and Chief Dolan Seek to Redefine Police-Community Collaboration
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Assistant Police Chief Tim Dolan are calling for public input on a new plan to make community policing real in Minneapolis. At a public meeting held yesterday, city leaders reported on public and police department input gathered to date about how to define and implement a more comprehensive and effective strategy for community policing.
The Minneapolis Police Department is in the process of strengthening its commitment to community policing. As part of this process the Strategic Policy Partnership, a group of national community policing strategy experts, has been holding discussions and focus groups about community policing with a wide array of residents, business owners, community leaders and other stakeholders. The culmination of these discussions is compiled in a report titled “Making Community Policing Real.”
“There is a clear consensus that community policing needs to be the philosophy of every police officer and not just the specialization of a few,” Rybak said. “I strongly support a vision that includes more geographic policing, increased accountability, and a true collaboration between the police and the community.”
“There is strong willingness from all parties to move forward on a comprehensive plan for community policing,” Chief Dolan said. “With continued public input and involvement, we can begin to move from planning to action. I am dedicated to more deeply involving residents in developing neighborhood-based safety strategies.”
Residents can review the Minneapolis Police Department’s report on Community Policing online at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/news/docs/CommPolicing.pdf.
Ideas and feedback about community policing should be sent to the Minneapolis Police Department. Send comments by April 30, 2006 to Deputy Chief Lucy Gerold via e-mail at police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or in writing at Minneapolis Police Department, 130 City Hall, 350 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415.
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