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From YouTube: Chief Penn Shares Message on Service Changes
Description
The Arlington County Police Department, like most law enforcement agencies, has experienced a significant reduction in our workforce due to attrition, retirements and officers seeking other opportunities. While our department’s commitment to providing professional law enforcement services and to working collaboratively with our community to support public safety remains unwavering, this reduction in officers will change the way we deliver services to the community. Chief Penn discusses key service impacts the community is anticipated to notice.
A
A
I
continue
to
firmly
believe
we
are
at
our
very
best
when
we
are
working
in
partnership
with
the
community,
with
shared
goals
and
expectations,
building
upon
our
work
and
modifications
based
on
feedback
from
the
police
practices
group
and
the
external
assessment
of
acpd
by
hilliard
hines.
We
also
hosted
a
series
of
conversations
across
the
arlington
community
and
within
the
department
which
focused
on
three
areas,
one
where
the
agency
is
doing
very
well,
two,
where
the
agency
can
improve
and
three
areas
of
future
focus
for
the
agency.
A
In
2015,
the
agency
adopted
three
key
initiatives
to
guide
the
work
of
our
staff.
These
key
initiatives
coincide
with
the
feedback.
From
our
conversations,
we've
reaffirmed
our
commitment
to
these
initiatives
while
establishing
employee
wellness
and
safety
as
the
department's
fourth
key
initiative
to
align
with
the
identified
areas
of
focus.
A
Our
key
initiatives
are
one
crime,
prevention
and
control.
In
this
effort,
acpd
works
to
improve
the
overall
quality
of
life
in
arlington
through
active
patrols,
crime
prevention
strategies
and
educational
efforts.
Our
second
key
initiative
is
transportation.
Safety
acpd
is
committed
to
ensuring
the
safety
of
all
travelers
through
a
two-pronged
approach
of
education
and
enforcement.
A
A
Our
fourth
and
new
key
initiative
is
employee,
wellness
and
safety,
recognizing
the
inherent
stress
associated
with
the
law
enforcement
profession.
It
is
critically
important
that
we
are
doing
all
we
can
to
support
and
take
care
of
our
staff,
so
they
can
be
successful
in
their
careers
and
personal
lives.
These
initiatives
are
foundational
to
the
professional
law
enforcement
services.
We
provide.
A
All
members
of
the
department
are
expected
to
contribute
in
a
meaningful
way
towards
advancing
these
initiatives
throughout
our
service
to
the
arlington
community.
While
key
initiatives
will
help
us
focus
our
priorities,
it's
important.
We
recognize
police
staffing,
continues
to
be
one
of
the
most
significant
challenges
facing
our
agency
and
the
law
enforcement
profession.
A
A
A
It
is
anticipated
the
community
will
notice
impacts
to
our
service
delivery
in
the
following
areas.
The
top
priority
of
the
arlington
police
department
remains.
The
safety
of
our
community
officers
will
continue,
responding
to
in-progress
crimes
and
emergency
calls
for
service
where
there
is
an
immediate
threat
to
life,
health
or
property,
we
will
be
shifting
reports
of
applicable
late,
non-emergency
criminal
activity
to
online
or
telephone
reporting
in
lieu
of
an
in-person
officer
response.
A
This
is
a
change
first
initiated
during
the
pandemic
and
will
continue
to
ensure
the
best
use
of
our
available
resources.
We
will
prioritize
follow-up
investigations
on
crimes
against
people
and
serious
property
crimes.
Acpd
will
reduce
investigative
follow-up
on
specific
property
crimes,
particularly
when
the
incident
lacks
solvability
factors.
A
While
we
are
facing
significant
staffing
challenges,
I
am
confident
we
will
get
through
this
time
period
while
continuing
to
be
proactive
in
ensuring
public
safety,
myself
and
members
of
our
command
staff
and
engagement
division
are
available.
Should
you
have
questions
or
if
you
would
like
us
to
attend
group
meetings
for
further
discussion?