FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020 COMMUNITY RELATIONS
The Community Relations Office includes one Sergeant, a Housing Authority Officer, a Training Coordinator, and two School Resource Officers. The Community Relations Office is dedicated to the Flagstaff Police Department’s Mission of Community Policing by promoting positive community relations and providing excellent customer service through community engagement activities throughout the year. The Community Relations Sergeant serves as the Flagstaff Police Department’s Public Information Officer. This assignment entails addressing the immediate need to facilitate and provide accurate information for release to the press and regulates our social media outlets. This effort includes timely and accurate dissemination of information on criminal activity and public safety through a cooperative partnership with local, state and national news outlets. In 2020, 1,518 public speaking presentations, media releases, radio, and television interviews were completed. Additionally, the Public Information Officer is responsible for the Police Department’s use of social media primarily using Facebook, Instagram, and Next Door while collaborating with other support staff to effectively use the Department’s website to disseminate information and communicate with the public. The Housing Officer works directly with the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority which includes Siler, Brannen, and Clark Homes. This directed effort was established to maintain healthy relationships and improve the quality of life by working with a variety of families in these areas. This assignment is responsible for assisting the property managers in providing a safe and healthy environment for the tenants and to provide a direct means of communication from the tenants to the Police Department for areas of information including crime trends, social services, and general assistance. Our Training Coordinator is responsible for maintaining and facilitating the continuing education requirements for all sworn and civilian personnel within the Department. The Training Coordinator also facilitates and supervises the Department’s Volunteer Program. The School Resource Officers (2) provide a cadre of services to the youth of our community, beginning with presenting the “Project Alert” program to the Middle and High School age youth in our city. The “Project Alert” program aims to reduce the risks of drug and alcohol abuse of our adolescents by providing them with knowledge and skills needed to make healthy decisions. The School Resource Officers present information to our community’s youth on topics like bullying, peer pressure, honesty, gun safety, domestic violence, and the proper use of 911. The School Resource Officers are regularly available to handle school calls for service and work with families they have built relationships with who are often at risk. This work with schools and families helps reduce juvenile referrals into the court system; positively impacting the students, their family, and the school by correcting behavior without court action.
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