Strengthening Relationships between Police and Immigrant Communities in a Complex Political Environment: Multicultural Outreach and Engagement Programs for Police Agencies Strengthening Relationships between Police and Immigrant Communities in a Complex Political Environment: Multicultural Outreach and Engagement Programs for Police Agencies This publication was supported by the Ford Foundation. The points of view expressed herein are the authors’ and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Ford Foundation or individual Police Executive Research Forum members. Sloan, Madeline. Washington, D.C. 20036 Copyright © 2018 by Police Executive Research Forum All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-934485-48-4 Cover and text page design by Dave Williams. The photos were provided by the Herndon Police Department, Vail Police Department, Avon Police Department, Seattle Police Department, and the City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. Contents Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................................1 Letter from the PERF Executive Director .............................................................................2 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................5 Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 5 The purpose of this report ........................................................................................................ 5 The Seattle Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit ................................................ 6 The Eagle County Law Enforcement Immigrant Alliance ....................................................... 6 The Herndon Police Department and Project Hope .............................................................. 7 Key Promising Practices ............................................................................................................. 7 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................10 The Seattle Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit .........................................13 An Overview of SPD’s Community Outreach Unit ................................................................ 13 History ................................................................................................................................................ 13 Organization ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Approaching Outreach from a Demographic Perspective ........................................................... 16 Building Meaningful Relationships .................................................................................................. 16 Engaging Officers in Outreach Initiatives ....................................................................................... 16 Securing Funding for Outreach Initiatives ...................................................................................... 17 Initiatives to Strengthen Relationships with Immigrant Communities .............................. 18 Immigrant and Refugee Liaison ...................................................................................................... 19 Demographic Advisory Councils ...................................................................................................... 21 The Immigrant Family Institute ....................................................................................................... 26 Building Trust and Strengthening Relationships between Police and Immigrant Families ..... 33 Increasing Cultural Competency of Seattle Police Officers .......................................................... 34 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 34 The Eagle County Law Enforcement Immigrant Alliance .................................................37 A County-wide Approach to Outreach and Engagement ..................................................... 37 Committee Membership .................................................................................................................. 38 Contents iii Committee Activities ......................................................................................................................... 39 Leveraging Existing National Programs to Engage the Latino Community ....................... 40 National Night Out ............................................................................................................................ 40 Academia de Policía para Ciudadanos Latinos (Latino Citizens Police Academy) ..................... 41 Police Explorers ................................................................................................................................. 44 Outreach through Education................................................................................................... 45 Addressing Congregations at Church Services .............................................................................. 46 Providing Training to Local Employees ........................................................................................... 46 Outreach through Social Media and Radio .................................................................................... 47 Educating Residents about 911 Services ........................................................................................ 48 Providing Services to the Latino Community ........................................................................ 49 Mobile Mexican Consulate ............................................................................................................... 50 Volunteer Interpreter Program ....................................................................................................... 50 Clothing Drives for Low-Income Families ....................................................................................... 51 Successful Outcomes of the Law Enforcement Immigrant Alliance ................................... 52 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 54 The Herndon Police Department and Project Hope .........................................................56 Establishing Partnerships with Schools ................................................................................. 57 An Opportunity at Hutchinson Elementary ........................................................................... 58 Project Hope .............................................................................................................................. 58 Who Participates in Project Hope? .................................................................................................. 59 Program Activities ............................................................................................................................. 59 Engaging Parents ............................................................................................................................... 61 Expanding the Program .................................................................................................................... 62 The Positive Impact of Project Hope ...................................................................................... 62 Conclusion: Promising Practices for Strengthening Relationships with Immigrant Communities ......................................................................................................64 Establishing a Foundation of Trust ......................................................................................... 64 Using Programming to Build Relationships with Immigrant Communities ...................... 65 Using Education as an Outreach Tool .................................................................................... 65 Involving the Right People ....................................................................................................... 66 Funding Outreach Initiatives ................................................................................................... 66 iv Strengthening Relationships between Police and Immigrant Communities in a Complex Political Environment About PERF .............................................................................................................................67 Appendix A: Demographic Advisory Council Bylaws ........................................................68 Appendix B: Immigrant Family Institute Program Evaluation ........................................73 Appendix C: LEIA Brochure ..................................................................................................80 Appendix D: LEIA Committee Member Application ..........................................................82 Appendix E: LEIA Post Election Letter .................................................................................86 Appendix F: Citizens Academy Flyers .................................................................................88 Appendix G: Citizens Academy Application Form .............................................................92