October 30, 2020
Dear UC Santa Cruz community,
Since 2011, the UC Santa Cruz Police Department has been actively engaged in a comprehensive transformational policing strategy that embraces a guardian philosophy, endeavoring to be peacekeepers and caretakers, and enforcing the law when it is reasonable and prudent to keep the community safe.
Transformational policing is rooted in community policing values and tenets. It is a model that promotes fostering trust, collaborative community relationships, education, and empowering law enforcement members to create positive change within and for the benefit of the communities they serve and protect. Transformational policing complements and aligns with the 58 recommendations encompassed in the six (6) pillars of the 2105 U.S. President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, as well as the 28 recommendations of the 2019 University of California Presidential Task Force on Policing report. The policies we enacted, and programs and practices we have adopted align with the tenets of transformational policing
The components of transformational policing are a two-part approach, with the first being collaborative community cultural coaching. This means working with the community regarding cultural aspects of American history that we may not have an understanding and knowledge of.
The second component is criminal justice education. This means educating law enforcement and the community on aspects of history that have both affected and guided police and community relationships. There is a focus on growth and development in a joint effort between law enforcement and communities.
Our professional development includes ongoing education and understanding of:
- Implicit bias and its effects
- Conflict resolution
- Building trust and community
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
- History of institutions and government on our communities
- Value and strength in relationships with our communities
- Inclusion, equity, and equality
The following provides an overview of how we implemented those recommendations within the six (6) pillars that most directly affect the roles and responsibilities of the UC Santa Cruz Police Department and not those of a Federal Level or non‐Law Enforcement agencies.
Of the 58 recommendations; 38 directly relate to law enforcement, and 20 recommendations are aimed at government agencies or community organizations. There are 91 Action Items; 50 directly related to law enforcement, 41 items are intended for the government agencies, other entities, or community organizations outlined in this report. In addition, the UC Santa Cruz Police Department supports the remaining 14 recommendations aimed at government agencies and/or community organizations and will implement those suggestions when practical when/if they are acted upon by the appropriate government department and/or community organization.
Finally, we have attached the June 2020 UC President’s Task Force on Policing Final Implementation Report and our response to the implementation of those recommendations for your review.
As such, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with our policies, programs, and practices and see how we implement these into our roles and responsibilities to our community.
Sincerely,
Nader Oweis
Chief of Police
Pillar 1: Building Trust and Legitimacy
Pillar 2: Policy and Oversight
Pillar 3: Technology and Social Media
Pillar 4: Community Policing and Crime Reduction
Pillar 5: Training and Education
Pillar 6: Officer Wellness and Safety
