City of Midland, TX... Police Department

SUPPORT SERVICES BUREAU

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The Midland Police Department Community Relations Unit is charged with the responsibility of establishing positive communication between the Midland Community and the Police Department. While all police officers are obligated to project a positive and professional image of the department, the MPD Community Relations Unit must assist and create avenues in which to accomplish this task.

Their area of responsibility includes attending seminars, discussions, meetings, demonstrations, displays and other methods that will allow them to interact with the Midland Community.

This unit is not isolated in our own area, but is a gathering point for input from all employees in the police department and the community. This input may consist of technical assistance, expert speakers, and suggestions for improving current programs and creating additional ones.

The unit is commanded by a lieutenant and is further manned by a sergeant, and two police officers, with support from a unit secretary/crime prevention specialist. Because this unit is under the Support Services Bureau, a host of other officers provide additional support.

The programs include a very popular Citizen Police Academy (CPA) which has completed its 32nd session. This program is designed to educate citizens on the inner workings of their police department in order to foster better relations between the citizens and the police officers. This program runs for 6 weeks, 2 evening classes per week on Tuesday and Thursday, twice a year, free of charge.

Mirroring the CPA is the Spanish speaking Citizen Police Academy, and is the first of its kind in Texas--All instruction is in Spanish in order to reach those citizens who have good command of that language. This program runs once a year, also free of charge.

Other programs include

Neighborhood Watch...probably the best home security program available to residents and their community.
Home and apartment security survey...free safety inspection regarding making homes safer.
Home insurance surveys...free inspection and information on how you might be able to get 5% reduction on homeowners policy.
Business survey...free business inspections to advise how to make your business less likely to be a target for burglary and theft.
Personal Awareness...This program is conducted with businesses, churches, civic organizations, and others to stress awareness of conditions around you and suggestions to avoid becoming a victim of crime.
Fraud and Con Games...Targeted to Senior Citizens
Shoplifting...very popular program of the employer and the employee and high-school business classes where students work part-time after class.
Fatal Vision…This program utilizes a “hands-on” approach to the dangers of intoxication and driving. Classroom instruction and a driving safety course are combined to teach this program.
S.K.I.D. (Safe Kid Identification Disk)..This program is designed for any age person who could be at risk for personal safety such as lost/missing children or alzheimer patients.
Bicycle Rodeo...teaches kids safety rules, accident avoidance, and proper bicycle maintenance. Parents drivers license number is engraved on the bike for ID purposes.
McGruff the Crime Dog...presents various topics-targets younger audiences (2yrs to 5yrs) and up to 6th grade.
Stranger Danger...geared toward children, pre-school to 6th grade helps latch-key children.
Red Ribbon Week...A full week of programs including McCrime and McGruff presenting Drug Awareness, Personal Awareness, Stranger Danger and others at public and private schools.
Kops for Kids Trading Cards...the unit, in partnership with the Midland Crime Prevention Commission, receives donations for funding the trading cards for officers. Those officers attend presentations to offer the autographed cards to children and adults. Bridges relations with the community, especially the children.
National Night Out...encourages neighborhood watches, apartment watches and mall watch. The community works with Law Enforcement against crime and the criminals.
Halloween Safety Program...educates children on the dangers that surround Halloween and how to Trick or Treat and stay safe.

The Midland Police Department Community Relations Unit has received several awards and honors:

The “Liberty Bell Award” presented by the Young Lawyers Association.

“Excellence in Crime Prevention Award” presented by the City Council PTA.

“Certificate of Appreciation” for outstanding contribution in drug enforcement.

“Crime Prevention Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication” Midland Crime Prevention Commission.

“Outstanding Crime Prevention for the State of Texas 1995"

National Association of Town Watch award for outstanding participation for 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

The MPD Community Relations Unit is proud of their projects and will continue to strive to offer the citizens of our community the best educational information and material in the area of Crime Prevention and Personal Safety.

For further information contact:
Sgt. Dale Seago (432)685-7580

Crime Prevention Specialist Gloria Newman (432)685-7582

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