Support Services Sergeant Luana Wilcox
Phone: (512) 528 - 2832
Fax: (512) 528-2801

CPA 2013

Date: to be announced

Questions: please contact Lt. Partin.

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NNO 2013
Date: August 6, 2013

More information to follow

Community Policing

 The community policing program includes scheduled programs such as Citizen’s Police Academy and National Night Out, support of Neighborhood Watch programs, tours of the police department, community meetings, requested officer visits and talks, and other activities upon request. Contact Support Services Officer for information about any of these programs, to schedule a tour or an officer visit.

 What is Community Policing?

Community policing is a philosophy and an organizational strategy that promotes police/community partnerships and problem-solving strategies. The entire community is responsible for public safety and crime prevention, not just the police. The officers can not be everywhere at once. The officer does not know what belongs to you and what belongs to the guy walking down the street. The officer can not watch your open garage door. The officer can not watch every stop sign in the city. We must work together to solve problems. Community Policing is oriented toward problem-solving. Police Officers are encouraged to become familiar with the community, listen to citizens' concerns and assist them with problem-solving. Problem-solving strategies are used by the community and the police to develop customized responses to problems. Problems are addressed with a four step process:

• Problems are identified
• Questions are asked to learn everything possible about the problem
• Based on careful analysis, a custom made response to the problem is tried
• The response is evaluated to see if the problem was solved

 The Police role shifts with community policing from incident-driven law enforcer to problem solver and facilitator. Enforcement tactics are not eliminated; rather the tools available to officers are greatly expanded. Community Policing is a philosophy, a management style, and an organizational strategy that promotes pro-active problem-solving. It promotes police/community partnerships to address the causes of crime and the fear of crime. It works to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life within the community. 

How Can You Get Involved in the Community Policing Effort?

Knowing what to look for is an important first step. The Community Policing presentation can be given to groups of any size. This arms residents with information and tools. A neighborhood watch program takes that idea to an organized group effort (see below for more information). Residents interested in learning more about what officers do in their jobs may want to apply for the Citizen’s Police Academy (see below for more information). Every year, National Night Out is an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbors and get crime prevention information out to your neighborhood (see below for more information).  

What Are Changes You Can Make to Keep Your Property Safe?

The majority of property crimes in the city are “crimes of convenience.” “Crimes of convenience” means that the items stolen were left unsecured and unattended in an easily accessible area. As an example of such crimes, in 2008, only four of the vehicle burglaries (items stolen out of a vehicle) were forced. The rest of the vehicles were not secured or the items were stolen from an unsecured area, such as a pick-up bed. To combat these types of crimes, we must all work together to secure items. Contact the Support Services Officer for additional information. Residents can register their bicycles with the city. Contact the Support Services Officer for additional information. Businesses can complete and submit a “Business Information Sheet,” located at the bottom of the page in the file section. These forms allow police officers to contact the appropriate people after business hours of suspicious activity, damage or criminal activity. As well as allow officer access to gated areas opened with a gate code for alarms or suspicious incidents. The form, once completed, should be mailed, faxed or dropped off at the police department.

Citizen's Police Academy The Citizen’s Police Academy will provide a new understanding of law enforcement through lectures, demonstrations and hands-on exercises. The CPA will provide you with abbreviated version of police recruit training.   This nine week course is filled with useful information and adventures that will provide you with memories for a lifetime. This dynamic program is offered to Leander residents who are at least 18 years of age and have no felony convictions. The CPA will meet on Monday nights from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for nine weeks and is offered at no charge to the participants.   Participants enjoy an opportunity to learn new things and to meet other members of the community. Topics of instruction and activities will include:  Criminal Justice System Overview  Legalities of Arrest, Search and Seizure Use of Force by Law Enforcement Crime Prevention, Community Policing Criminal Investigations and Crime Scenes Traffic Stops – Techniques and Practical Exercise Firearms Training and Practical Exercises   Application and flyer available will be available in “Documents”  prior to the start of a new class.   CPA 2009 at Graduation     CPA 2008 at Graduation

Neighborhood Watch

• Work with the Leander Police Department. The relationship is critical to a Watch group’s credibility and is a source of necessary information and training.
• Hold regular meetings to help residents get to know each other and to decide upon program strategies and activities.
• Consider linking with an existing organization, such as a citizens’ association, community development office, tenants’ association, or housing authority. They may be able to provide an existing infrastructure you can use.
• Canvass door-to-door to recruit members.
• Ask people who seldom leave their homes to be “window watchers,” looking out for children and reporting any unusual activities in the neighborhood.
• Translate crime and drug prevention materials into Spanish or other languages needed by non-English speakers in your community. If necessary, have a translator at meetings.
• Sponsor a crime and drug prevention fair at a church hall, temple, shopping mall, or community center.
• Gather the facts about crime in your neighborhood. Check police reports, conduct victimization surveys, and learn residents’ perceptions about crimes. Often, residents’ opinions are not supported by facts, and accurate information can reduce the fear of crime.
• Physical conditions like abandoned cars or overgrown vacant lots contribute to crime. Sponsor cleanups, encourage residents to beautify the area, and ask them to turn on outdoor lights at night.
• Work with small businesses to repair rundown storefronts, clean up littered streets, and create jobs for young people.
• Start a block parent program to help children cope with emergencies while walking to and from school or playing in the area.
• Emphasize that Watch groups are not vigilantes and should not assume the role of the police. Their duty is to ask neighbors to be alert, observant, and caring—and to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.