Law Enforcement Web Site Topics

James J. Onder, PhD, Safety Specialist
Washington, DC

This is a list of topics found on law enforcement web site around the country. It will provide suggestions for enhancing your agency’s web site.

Table of Contents

Home page - 3

Inside the agency - 4

Recruiting - 7

Officers and private security - 9

Officer and citizen recognition - 10

Officer and staff services secure files - 10

Agency telephone numbers - 11

Links to other local and state law enforcement and emergency services - 12

Administration forms, packets, on line filing and research - 12

Live on line agency events - 14

Laws of our land - 14

Office of professional accountability - 15

Public information - 16

Crime information and statistics - 17

Jail information - 19

Acquisitions - 19

Communities get involved meetings - 20

Crime prevention and safety advisories - 20

Agency programs - 27

Internet crime information - 30

Our city - 31

Contact the web master - 32

Thank you - 32

Legal notice - 32

Privacy statement - 32

(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Track web site results - 33

Promote the web site on line - 33

Promote the web site on printed materials and in community presentations - 33

Notes - 34

Home page

The design may use colors that match uniforms/patrol vehicles/patch/building. Some movement on the screen is desirable, perhaps with sound. Background shots can be photographs of the agency or vehicles or shots of the city to harmonize with the agency.

Primary menu

- Main menu as a side bar/top bar

- Be clear about how to proceed

Special windows

- Topic search window

- Site map

- A - Z Index

- Glossary of terms (abbreviations, acronyms)

- Page comment window (enter a message and it’s automatically sent to the page author)

- E-mail response pop up (to reach the author of a specific topic)

- Request to be sent an e-mail if the specific item/page/or entire web site has been updated

- People in the community the agency has served since (starting date of the data collection)

- Welcome to web site visitor (number) (count window)

- Number of people currently on the web site (count window)

- The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Center’s window (rotating pictures) and search

- Time/date/temperature

- Scrolling (or tickertape effect) of information on the screen

- Megan’s law sex offender location map

- Sponsors

- Show logos of web site sponsors

- Ask for prospective sponsors, e.g., “Would you like to sponsor this page/web site/program?”

- Pay by credit card window (e.g., traffic fines)

What’s hot

- Today’s crisis, what’s new, events today

- Roadway “hot spots”

- Requests to the public to help solve recent crimes (e.g., BOLOs (Be On the Look Out) for specific person)

- Latest scrams

- Homeland security issues

- High profile, controversial issues of public interest

- Number of lives saved by defibrillation

- (Note: these items need to be updated daily)

Hotline search window

Public’s suggestion box (problems, compliments, etc.)

Foreign languages for main menu items

- En Espanol and other languages as appropriate to agency’s area

Translation program

- Several different languages

- Babel Fish Translation (tm)

- Window that will translate up to 150 words each time

Health finder

- Links to health services in the community, city, state

Agency weather and road conditions

Sponsors of the web page

USACOPS link

Technical statement: For example, “This site is best viewed at 800x60 or higher with 16 bit color.”

Tools provided to users (at appropriate points in the web site)

- Adobe Acrobat Reader

- Microsoft Power Point View

- Win Zip Compression Utility

- Video select a format

- Real Play - High

- Real Play - Low

- Quick Time - High

- Quick Time - Low

Inside the agency

In addition to these elements, look carefully inside your agency for other unique programs and services that would best position the agency

Agency/about our agency/our agency now and then/history

- Photos of the HQ building

- Agency patch, insignia, badges history

- Patch trade program

- Photos of agency activities (some aerial, current and historic)

- Organizational chart

- Wall paper (provide instructions for using the patrol vehicle or patch as computer wallpaper)

- Flag waving proudly over the agency (provide some movement)

Divisions

- Precincts/satellite precincts/mobile substations and command posts/academy

- Addresses/telephone numbers

- Captain’s name and photos of each division

- Map of districts/district beat map

Our officers

- List officers by full name

- Consider not using ranks when working with community groups

- List e-mail addresses

- List by neighborhood beats and/or by community programs they are conducting

- Demographics of officers

Mission/vision/core values/priorities statements

- Our 3-year plan (e.g., toward a safer community)

- Link to strategic plan, celebrating excellence, ethics and professionalism

- Harmonize with Chief’s message and agency accreditation by CALEA and state (if applicable)

Our chief

- Photo of the chief

- Biography

- Past chiefs/”hall of chiefs”

Chief’s message

- (For example) Welcome. The Smithville Police Department has long been a leader in progressive policing. We are known for our use of technology, our effectiveness in training and our innovation in approaching crime and quality of life issues in sour community.

- We are nationally accredited (and state accredited) agency and member of our state and national law enforcement agencies such as NSA/IACP, etc.

- We have 000 sworn officers, 000 auxiliary officers, 000 civilian/support personnel, make 000 citizen contacts each year, for a population of 000, in 000 square miles.

- We encourage you to learn more about our agency, our officers, our people, our programs.

- We are working hard to create a site that is both engaging and interesting, while also being useful and fun. We invite you to visit us often and see the many new additions we have planned for the near future. Harmonize with the agency’s priorities and 3-year plan.

- Find out more about our programs within Smithville Police Department. In each issue, provide administrator’s name, telephone number, mission/vision/core values statements and the strategic plan, goals, objectives, sample activities and how the public can get involved. Links to meeting dates and events should be included.

- We serve and protect you with pride

- We want to hear from you, the good and the bad, with constructive suggestions to improve our services

Relationship with area wide city/government

- Harmonize the agency with the city

- Show the agency in context of the community in which it serves. Links to the city will point to its economic vitality and diversity, business, economic and cultural climate, its growth, quality of life issues and how the agency is connected to help make this happen and protect it.

- City’s present and future (we’re part of the growth) (a good place to work and live and to do business)

- Map of the city/map by precincts/district beat map/click on precincts for specific information

- Live city/highway cameras

- Movie of the month spotlighting a special city program or feature

- Message from our mayor, recognizing law enforcement

Photos of the city, aerial shots and U. S. Geographic Information System (GIS) photographs and coordinates

Visitors page

- Welcome to Smithville

- Here are our recreation facilities, parks, amusement areas, State and Federal elected officials, special events, etc.

- Population facts

Relationship with television and radio stations

- The media are full-fledged partners

- Citizens, police and the media to fight crime together

- Make safety and crime prevention announcements

Accreditation

- Our agency is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)/with seal.

- We are also accredited by our state (as applicable)

Agency Awards

- For example, International Association of Law Enforcement Analysts (IALEA)

Associations

- We’re a member of the state and national law enforcement agencies (e.g., The State Law Enforcement Organization, National Sheriff’s Association/International Association of Chiefs of Police/International Association of Law Enforcement Analysts, etc.)

- We benefit greatly by learning about best practices, etc.

Federal and state grants

- List each

- Harmonize with programs that affect citizens

Agency public surveys

- Agency assessment with citizens about “how well we’re doing.”

- Complaint survey results

History

- Milestones of the agency (dates)

- Lore and traditions of the agency

- Agency patch, insignia, badges history (“This patch/badge is a symbol of honor, trust and commitment and worn with great pride.”)

- Pride of agency’s history

- Origination of law enforcement terms

Agency museum

- Location, visiting hours, special tours

- Selected photos, with some on line exhibits

Agency tours

- For organized groups

- Open house for the media and general public

- For potential recruits

Retail store for agency materials

- Clothes, hats, pins, badges, etc.

- Note: we do not sell patches for security reasons

Donate your vehicle program

Police auction

- Fleet vehicle and equipment sales

- Salvaged vehicles, motorcycles, bikes, other unclaimed property

- Proceeds are used for prevention/safety/community policing programs

- Request to be put on mailing list/e-mail notification

Law enforcement solicitation warning

- If you’re solicited by a police organization, there are times when some claim to be affiliated with our agency and request money

- Our agency does not solicit private citizens for contributions. Be wary of all solicitations

Recruiting

The agency web site is a good way to recruit for employees. The web site is a “brochure” for attracting potential recruits as it shows the many services and types of positions that might be of particular interest to them. It shows that this is a good place to work and that the agency needs people who would make good officers and support staff.

Provide a number of incentives to learn about the agency such as sample tests, application can be down loaded, shows community meetings to meet recruiter, etc. (Say, here are opportunities/how to become a Smithville law enforcement officer) Agencies may consider listing jobs on jobcorp.com and provide a hot link as appropriate.

Promote agency as a good place to work

- Harmonize with the mission/vision/core value statements, celebrating excellence, ethics and professionalism

- Never before has a career as an office in the Smithville Police Department been more rewarding

- Say, “We offer security, prestige, respect, personal satisfaction and a variety of assignments.”

- Say, “We’re looking for the best and the brightest.”

Audio recordings

- Chief’s special message for potential recruits

- An officer describes the academy training

- An officer pridefully reads the seven core values of the agency

- New recruits marching, singing, and running a variety of cadences in the academy

- Specific officers talking who have just completed basic academy such as a female, an African American, a Hispanic, and Asian American, etc. Provide their names and method of contact

Encourage potential recruits to review the agency’s programs on the web site and to make contact with specific officers

Provide frequencies, trunking codes and signal and ten-series codes so they can listen in on agency frequencies

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about employment opportunities

- Minimum requirements, oral interview, etc.

- Steps to the academy, Information Night

- Eye exam, physical ability test, weight, written test

History of the agency, special agency traditions, lore, origination of terms, and history of law enforcement in general

Current openings

Application form on line or fill out form on line

Day in the life of three officers (officer, dispatcher, communication specialist)

Candidate requirements

Police academy

- Prospective candidate can visit

- Can talk to an officer about employment

Local university courses in criminal justice for prospective candidates

Ride along or shadow an officer programs for later stages of the application process

Up coming academy dates/recruitment calendar: test information/civil service exam/pre-test for officers exam/preparation classes/dates. Say that there is no fee

An employment study guide

Sample test questions and answers

Demographic of applicants, recruits, dropouts

Special employment programs

- Collegiate officer program

- Lateral transfer program

- Move up transfer program

- Women in Smithville Police Department

Specific positions (apply on line to get announcements)

- Officer application form

- Communications (911 operator) application form

- Dispatcher application form

- Complaint officer application form

- Public communication staff application form

- Detention officer application form

- Citizen (non-sworn) support staff application form

- Officer call-back application form

- Computer specialists

- Community outreach specialist

Mailing list form (apply on line)

PSAs for recruiting officers

Civilian employment opportunities

Current openings

Overview of civilian positions

Internship program (non paid)

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer jobs include

- Special event planning

- Neighborhood WATCH programs

- Maintenance of law enforcement vehicles

- Search and rescue teams

- Grant writing

- Research and crime analysis

- Vacation checks

- Shopping mall patrols

- Special event parking and patrols

- Parking enforcement, fire lane, handicapped spaces

- Missing persons computer searches

Types of volunteer program types

- Explorer

- Chief’s volunteer brigade

- Reserve program

- Citizen academy (one for African Americans, Asians, Latinos)

- Internships, summer school internship program

- Youth programs

Links to www.policevolunteers.org

Crisis response volunteer opportunities

Provide short term, immediate assistance to help with emotional/mental issues, information and referral/counseling/transportation, etc.

Provide application, training, brochure

Community service opportunities

A good way to get involved

Complete your required community service time

Diversity management

Employment equity section

Human rights section

Multi-cultural advisor

Women’s issues advisor

Retirees

Officer call-back opportunities

Retirees’ veterans association application

Police Benevolent Association claim form

Retirees WATCH (When All The Citizens Help)

Citizen academy for retirees

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT)

This volunteer program will enhance community’s power of observation and to encourage mutual assistance and concern among neighbors with retirees

Officers and private employment

One way to attract and keep officers is to establish a program that allows them to take part-time security work. Consider letting them wear their uniform, carry their weapon and be covered by the agency insurance policy. This provides some “visibility patrol” for the community. Note: this is a closed site for officers with proper identification to access.

Say: “Need security for your business? Hire an agency police officer

They will appear in an agency uniform, we pay insurance, etc.

Harmonize with recruiting as appropriate

Officer and citizen recognition

Public recognition and the sharing of pride is part of the image of your agency, celebrating excellence, etc. This can include citizen awards (e.g., good neighbor award)

Current sworn officers, staff, names, assignments, telephone numbers (search window)

Top cops/officers in the spotlight/top officer of the week/honor role

Recent promotions

Officer recognition and awards

- Medal of valor

- Silver cross

- Medal of merit

- Blue Star

- Life saving metal

- Special commendation

- Commendation award

- Meritorious public service award

Officers called into active duty

Memorial

- Acts of heroism

- Medal of valor

- Names and photos of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty

- Police memorial or foundation

- Show walls, plaques, etc.

- History of Veteran’s Day

The National Law Enforcement Memorial

The State Law Enforcement Memorial

Citizen recognitions, good neighbor awards

Call for officer and citizen nominations for recognition

Officer and staff services secure files

These are secure files and functions on the site only accessible to officers and staff through security codes.

Complete addresses, faxes and telephone numbers of all officers and staff

Best practices directory to share ideas with colleagues

List serve system for routine communications

Officer and staff assistant programs

- This is a “police family academy”

- Job stress, family support

- Post traumatic shock counseling

- Career development (secured site)

- Agency’s or city’s credit union

- Pay council

This is often conducted by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)

Training by distance learning

Agency telephone numbers

Provide the preferred telephone number for each type of communications. The agency has Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) where calls are directed efficiently.

Officer contacts (list by full name, badge, telephone number, e-mail, community programs they conduct, etc.) Harmonize with the agency’s “know your officer program.”

Harmonize with contacting agency personnel on line

General, non-emergency agency telephone numbers/“urgency without emergency” numbers/agency service

Agency’s emergency telephone number (911) and when to use and when not to use

Foreign language numbers/Spanish/Asian/other languages appropriate to your community

Kids only help telephone

earing impaired telephone numbers for the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf/Telegraph (TDD) There is a TDD in every agency Division

Reporting crimes/crime solvers hot line

- Reports are anonymous

- Report all crimes (graffiti, child abuse, etc.)

- Harmonize with “tips for cash”

- Calls are confidential

- Information is passed on immediately to appropriate investigators.

Hot lines

- Incident hotline for public (victim assistance, safety, health issues) promoted to media. This should be in various languages

- Incident hotline for media information/logistics/rumor control for a current/on-going crisis

- Chief’s desk hotline. (Say, chief will listen to your concerns within two business days)

Suggestions, questions, criticisms and comments and compliments directed at officers and agency

Commendations directed at officers and agency

Suggestion box (“How can we do a better job in serving our community?”) This is good for the agency’s community policing paradigm.

Cellular telephone number quick dial telephone number, for example, *71

- Encourage the public to report crimes, traffic conditions, “hot spots,” impaired/aggressive/speeding drivers

- For quick calls for service or road assistance

Links to community-wide health and safety services and emergency services telephone numbers

Victim assistance telephone numbers for local, state and national organizations

Paperless Automated Call Entry (PACE)

- Operators are operating the site 24 hours, paperless program, forms filled out, can be done with dispatch where the form is completed often before officer arrives.

- You can not use system to report: crimes in progress, stolen vehicles, check/credit card theft, fire arm violations, crimes committed due to race, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability or sexual orientation, etc.

- File mainly for police information and insurance company purposes only

- You can use it to report: vandalism, trespassing, theft (less that $5,000 dollars), disorderly conduct, telephone threats, etc.

- Report will be processed with 72 hours and you’ll be sent a verification letter

Links to other local and state law enforcement and emergency services

Miscellaneous and related web sites of interest. Harmonize your agency with other city/state services. Shows that all emergency service agencies are working together.

City and state web sites for both general and emergency services

State records and information system

All state-wide law enforcement agencies (e.g., state police, police departments, campus police, military, etc.)

State Legislature

State Senate

Official web site of the state

City Clerks Office (for forms packets, file forms by line)

License review board

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

City/state e-biz connection (i.e., doing business on line with the city and its agencies)

Community health and safety services

Auto inspection stations (and select time availabilities)

Administration forms, packets, on line filing and research

The general public can request forms packets to be mailed, file a form on line or search a data base (e.g., who’s in the jail). This saves the agency administrative time and money. Some of these items are linked to other city and state government services and community based organizations.

Note: In some agencies, this system can not be used to report: crimes in progress, stolen vehicles, check/credit card theft, fire arm violations, crimes committed due to race, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability or sexual orientation, etc.

File suggestions, questions, criticisms and comments and compliments

Conduct a pole

File an incident report

File a story you think would be of interest to the public

File abandoned auto

File sanitation problem (garbage pickup)

File abandoned building

File hazardous highway condition (deep pot hole)

File confidential narcotics incident

File missing person declaration

File stolen gun entry

File driver exchange of information form

File stolen vehicle affidavit

File hit and run incidences

File report of crimes anonymously

Pay traffic tickets

Report nuisances (noise, narcotics use, construction, etc.)

Conduct criminal history checks

Take out warrants

Complete citizen satisfaction survey and suggestions

File swear out warrant inquiry/search for warrants

File job application/request forms

Request to be put on mailing list for jobs

File crisis response team volunteer application

File officer and private security jobs search/application (for officer’s only, code required)

Donate your vehicle program

File block party permit requests

File parade permit requests

File for special garbage pick-up

File sworn statements

File sworn statements (continuation)

File Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests

File for permanent media passes (for media outlets only)

Request city jobs opportunities

File agency/city bid lists/procedures for doing business with us

File event request (for officers/equipment to be at event)

Complete neighborhood crime canvass (help us with information)

Make agency’s retail store purchases

File a vacation WATCH requests

Request placement on mailing list for auctions

File wanted person entry

Request vehicle owners name through license plate (if applicable)

Check your credit report

Live on line agency events and videotapes

Make streaming video and sound systems available. They can be basic quality and even slow-scan systems. Encourage the public to observe the agency during their live events. Events can be promoted to specific target populations for them to watch. Provide a video download program so they may utilize the live cameras

Listen into the agency’s radio communications. In order to monitor agency’s frequencies, need a scanner that can access the 800 MHz frequency bands (e.g, 866.0625) and one that allows entry of trunking codes (e.g, PD1-0048). Provide the agency’s signal and ten-series codes

View live city/county cameras, roadway cameras

Live camera from the agency’s Mobile Precinct Command Center as it moves around the city to various locations, perhaps on a daily basis

Chief/officers appear live on line and respond to questions with the public on a weekly program. Sometimes called “Cop Talk Live” or “Speak Up.”

News conferences. Invite the news media/citizens/community leaders to attend via the agency web site.

Live camera at the agency’s museum (as it pans around)

Live cameras (in acceptance and in the detail booking areas) (Provide a download program for the cameras)

Consider recording key event and making them available on line for a few weeks

Consider archiving key event as part of the agency’s history, traditions and lore

In-car camera video clips (about 45 seconds) of criminal interdiction at traffic stops. Show highlights (with a narration) of traffic stops and what was found.

Laws of our land

Make the laws available on line. In some cases, provide a non-legalistic version for easy understanding. Some of the laws need to be written in basic foreign languages appropriate to the agency’s community with easy to understand pictures to be effective with new immigrant, undocumented populations.

Links to laws, state statutes, city/county ordinances and state codes

Most frequently asked legal questions of concern such as: traffic laws, curfews, gun laws/approved integrated mechanical safety devices for handguns, shooting guns in the air, driver’s license, safety seat regulations, release of information, graffiti, zoning laws, building permits, false alarm ordinances, fees, regulation, night parking regulations, graduated license program regulations for teen drivers, etc..

Links to ordinances of interest, codified ordinances of the city/county

Reporting nuisances (noise, narcotics use, construction, etc.)

Traffic codes

Public safety, morals, welfare and sanitary nuisances (e.g., picketing, Sunday laws, tobacco vending machines, etc.)

All the administrative codes under the police department

Property and maintenance codes/ordinances

Truck regulations (size and weight of trucks on our streets)

Youth laws

- Possession of alcohol/tobacco

- Unlawful assembly of underage youths

- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor

- Liability of parents/guardians

- Curfew statutes/ordinances

- Use of ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles)

Racial profiling laws

Office of professional accountability

The purpose is to maintain and, where possible, increase the integrity of the agency through the full, fair and objective investigation of allegations of misconduct on the part of police department personnel.

Mission/vision/core values statements linked to the agencies priorities, strategic plan, the Chief’s message, celebrating excellence, ethics and professionalism

We continually look for ways to improve our service so submit suggestions, questions, criticisms and comments and compliments

Complaint process

- Some complaints are handled directly while some serious ones go to internal affairs

- The complaint process (write, come in, e-mail, fax, telephone, or dictate a report through our incident report desk)

- The internal investigation process

- When you have a complaint/form/process

- When you want to commend superior performance/form/process

- When you have a suggestion for the agency/form/process

Complaints against the agency summary

- Exonerated - The investigation indicates the alleged act(s) did occur but were within the policies, procedures and guidelines as set forth by the agency - #00

- Not-sustained - The investigation failed to disclose sufficient evidence to clearly prove or disprove the allegations made. For example, a citizen said the officer hit him, but there were not body marks or witnesses. It is not possible to prove it did or it did not happen - #00

- Unfounded - The investigation indicates the alleged act(s) did not occur or did not involve agency personnel. For example, the female driver said the officer grabbed and searched her purse on a routine traffic stop and that this was an unlawful search and seizure. However, unknown to the driver, the entire stop was videotaped and audio recorded - #00

- Sustained - The investigation discloses sufficient evidence to clearly prove the allegation made in the complaint - #00

- Administratively closed - #00

- Pending - #00

Process if the complain is sustained, internal affairs, law suits, disposition, etc.

Process if an allegation cannot be proved or is not true

Citizen Advisory Committee communications and involvement

Public information

tate that the agency has a good, professional working relationship with the media to get the news to you quickly and accurately. We are able to call the media and to request direct broadcasts of specific events when the safety of the citizens in our community are in danger, such as requesting the broadcasting of an “ambler alert” for children, natural disaster alerts and other dangers.

This part of the web site should be promoted to the media to find the latest news releases, news advisories, fact sheets, etc., all available 24-hours a day.

Agency’s public information policy

Current activities

- Up-coming events, list of meetings, community activities, officer appearances

- Chief’s presentations

- News releases (selected by category or by date)

- Sound bite testimonials from key spokespersons on current issues from agency’s broadcast quality answering machine.

Archives (by date)

- Editorials/op-eds

- News clippings of stories

- Articles/speeches written by the chief

- Media kits for news conferences

- Prevention campaign materials (e.g., safety belts, DARE, etc.)

- Photos of current issues and high profile crimes of the past. Harmonize with the history and the museum

– Event requests

- Requests for officers, chief to make presentations/attend receptions

- Uses of police equipment

- Audio-visual needs

- Permits for shooting commercial films on city streets

– Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests (can also apply on line)

– Reports and articles about the agency

- Newspaper articles both good and critical of the agency

- Public opinion survey about the agency

– Internal publications that are public record and of interest to the public (e.g., memos on major issues, etc.)

– Management/administration/grant reports

- Studies done for the agency

- Future plans

- Annual reports, interim reports

- Responses to reports by Commissioners, etc.

– High profile, controversial issues of public concern (e.g., officers use of tasers), minutes of heated town meetings, etc.

– Department publications

- Newsletters for officers and staff

- Special internal reports

Apply for permanent media passes (for media outlets only)

Meet periodically (bi-monthly) with the media and other responding agencies and the pubic is invited

Speakers’ bureau (on a number of crime prevention and safety issues)

Agency’s web site (or manage out sourcing)

Crime information and statistics

Be free and open with crime data that is under public record statues in the state. This information along with the trends points to the progress the agency is making toward resolving these issues. At the same time, it also indicates that more work needs to be done. Making actual data available may generate support for citizens, police and the media to fight crime together.

Activity log reflecting the work of all officers (by incident, date, time, address, location of traffic stop)

Frequently violated laws

Community alerts by district/”crime mapper”/district beat maps/click on your district

“Busted” pages (by month/pictures/names/DOB’s)

- Prostitution arrests

- John arrests

- Drug arrests

- Lewd acts arrests

- Impaired driving arrests

Locally most wanted individuals/rewards

Stash house locations

FBI most wanted nationally

Registered sex offenders/state sex offender registry

Crime patterns/data base of totals and crime patterns (e.g., number of calls for service, assistance, arrests, traffic citations, etc.)

In depth stories about high profile crimes, most wanted, most wanted violent crime, most wanted terrorists

Agency’s cold case file (we need assistance)

Suspicious death cases (we need your help)

Specific crimes by date

- Crime of the week

- Weekly summary of crimes

- Unsolved cases

- Requests to the public to help solve crimes, BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for specific persons, issues

- Photographs of fugitives, suspects wanted, missing children, etc.

- Police blotter news data

- Armed robberies

- Strong-armed robberies

- Commercial robberies

- Residential robberies

- Burglaries

- Larcenies/thefts

- Motor vehicle/bike thefts

- Arson fires

- Assaults

- Murders

- Sexual offenses

- Rapes

- Impaired driving arrests/convictions

- Traffic crashes

- Delinquent parents

- Missing children/persons

Central police records (search by name, date, type of crime)

- Incident reports (with sensitive information redacted)

- Offense reports

- Investigative reports

- Auto crashes reports

- Auto crash photographs

- Arrest reports

- Lost and found records

Link to State Bar (attorney certification, court, adjudication, records

Vehicles towed

- “Do you think your car was towed for parking?”

- Vehicles impounded for inoperative vehicles (what the law says/definition, how to report, what happens)

- Vehicle impounded or reprocessed

Arrest inquiries

Hospital patients search

Neighborhood crime canvases

Postal service wanted posters web site/digital mug shots

Juvenile crimes

- Juvenile system

- Juvenile crime statistics

- Reducing juvenile/youth violence

Detention facility and search

Warrant inquiry

Top traffic crash locations by incident/date

Law enforcement solicitation warning: If you’re solicited by a police organization, there are times when some claim to be affiliated with our agency and request money. Our agency does not solicit private citizens for contributions. Be wary of all solicitations.

Jail information

Jail population and types of crimes, costs, rehabilitation programs.

Current jail population and types of crimes

Inmate information/who’s in jail (search window)

Inmate programs

- Prison art

- About face program (help turn inmates around)

- Prison education/GED/juvenile education

- Alternative programs – pretrial recognition release

- Young marines program (for 12-16 year olds in the community in how to be a leader, qualities of leadership, how to measure success, reinforce good behaviors, earn decorations for leadership)

Criminal court docket

Live cameras (in acceptance and in the detail booking areas) (Provide a download program for utilizing the cameras)

Financial

- Average jail population

- Costs per inmate

- General funds expenditures

- General funds revenues

- Medical costs

Acquisitions

Promote requests for proposals to potential contractors. Discuss how to bid on contracts, how proposals are evaluated, and, in general, how to do business with the agency (and the city).

What we buy

How to view solicitations and awards

Acquisitions office

Procurement and contracting procedures

Acquisitions and regulations

Links to relevant Federal sites

- General Service Administration (GSA)

- Small Business Administration (SBA)

On line vendor enrollment form to be notified of opportunities

City/state e-biz connection (i.e., doing business on line with the city and agency)

Harmonize with agency auctions (see earlier)

Communities get involved meetings

We all must get citizens involved to fight crime and enhance safety. To do this, start a Police and Community Together (PACT) program or “groups you can join.” Harmonize with neighborhood WATCH programs, community meetings and knowing your beat officer programs.

Also, this is a way of getting to know your neighbors and schools, to make friends and to appreciate your community. (Note: this list of meetings should be cross-referenced by specific activities under agency programs.)

Harmonize with Federal and state grant program to conduct some of these programs.

Do you see a specific community problem that requires a small group neighborhood meeting?

Community-wide meetings/events on many of the topics listed on this site

By community area/precincts/point and click map

Types of meetings

- Single meetings

- Monthly meetings (e.g., 3^rd Tuesday of every month)

- Reoccurring meetings (every Monday and Thursday)

Telephone numbers, officer contacts, schedule changes

Purpose of each meeting

Window on each page to write in suggestions for agenda items

Citizen Advisory Committee communications and involvement for agency-wide concerns and problems

Crime prevention and safety advisories

Information for the follow topics is available from various sources such as the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has information for extreme weather and natural disasters. However, this information should be tailored to the community.

These are also good topics for community meetings. For this reason, they need to be presented on the web site in clear, presentation points that would spark discussion among meeting participants. Citizens would like to help adopt this information to their specific needs and plans. Officers who conduct neighborhood meetings may utilize some of this information.

Holiday/party crime prevention

General holiday safety tips

Don’t drink and drive

Fall holiday season

Halloween safety tips/”no tricks-just treats”

New years eve gunfire shot in the air reduction program

Home/apartment crime prevention tips

Apartment burglary prevention

Residential burglary prevention

Safe rental housing prevention

Setting up block and apartment clubs

Crime prevention through architecture and environmental design

Home security hardware

Weapons in the home

Apartment WATCH (When All The Citizens Help)

How I can make my home safer

Apartment security survey/checklist

Home security

Burglar alarms systems: purchasing alarms, on line registration, preventing false alarms, false alarm ordinances and city codes and enforcement of false alarms

Preventing false burglar alarms

Fire safety

Fire alarms

CO2 alarms

Getting rid of lead paint

Vacation protection of property

Obscene/annoying telephone calls

Garage sale

Apartment building parking garage safety

Business crime prevention tips

Safeguard your workplace/taking crime prevention to work

Identity theft

Shoplifting & internal theft protection

Business travel tips

Drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace

Office creepers (strangers in the office) prevention

Protecting company information

Small business crime prevention

Preventing arson and vandalism

Burglar alarms systems for businesses: purchasing alarms, on line registration, preventing false alarms, false alarm ordinances and city codes and enforcement of false alarms

Safety at stadiums, arenas and community centers

Parking garage safety

Counterfeit money

Loitering prevention

Bomb threats

Identification protection

Gasoline thefts (drivers leaving without paying)

Vehicle crime prevention tips

Vehicle security

Reducing the risk of being car jacked with citizens in vehicle

Reducing the risk of vehicles being stolen

License plate safety tips

Preventing staged collisions

Taxi driver safety

Volunteer decal participation program

Vehicle VIN etching participation program

SNAP (Serial Numbers are Proof)

Traffic safety tips

Contract for teen drivers

Graduated license programs and the laws

Using safety belts/child safety seats

How I can avoid being an aggressive driver

Setting up safety town programs

ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) safety program/training

Automated photo enforcement

Hit and run reporting

Nuclear waste, HAZMAT transportation

What to do when you have an auto crash

When I’m stopped by an officer of the law tips

On the street

At traffic stops

The Law and You program

Youth crime prevention tips

Babysitter’s guide to being safe

Child abuse

Child safety tips

Kids help telephone (law enforcement)

Abuso Del Nino (Spanish)

Parents prevention of crimes against children

What I can do to keep my children from joining a gang

How I can protect children from engaging in crime and violence

Swimming pool safety

Raising streetwise children

At home alone: a parent’s guide

Talking to children about drugs

Ten things children can do about violence

Safe schools

Back to school

Designing a safe walk to school for your children

Bullying prevention

Gun safety rules game

Teens we need you

Amber alert, Operation TIPS electronic message boards for missing children, etc.

Curfew information

Truancy information

Children WATCH information

Hug-A-Tree and Survive program

Domestic abuse and sexual assault prevention tips

Violence in the family: It’s everyone’s concern

What I can do about domestic violence

Battered women

Preventing sexual assault

Myths and facts about sex offenders

Domestic violence: the hidden crime

The rights of crime victims

Resources for domestic/sexual abuse victims (state and federal)

Megan’s law sex offender location map (on web site)

Neighborhood or block WATCH tips

Animal WATCH control and laws

How to get the law enforcement/city to post permanent metal signs such as: Warning: Protected by your neighborhood WATCH, This is a Drug (or Crime) Free Area, etc.

Say “Neigh” to drugs

Graffiti WATCH and removal

Taking back the neighborhood

Night parking issues

Neighborhood WATCH for family violence

Preventing vandalism

Getting together to fight crime

Neighborhood WATCH organizer’s guide

Illegal dumping

How I can make my neighborhood safer

Neighborhood conservation program

Neighborhood preservation program

Residential street construction (speed humps, traffic calming, crosswalks, safe walks to school

Design out crime with proper community environmental and architecture planning

Block party and parade permit requests

Checking for bomb threats, scares, suspicious packages, suspicious vehicles

Vacation WATCH programs

School crime prevention tips

How I can help to make schools safer

What I can do to keep my children from joining a gang

Drug free school zones

DARE/DARE+PLUS (Play and Learn Under Supervision) programs

DARE summer camp

Senior citizens crime prevention tips

Elder abuse

Crime prevention tips for seniors

Safety for seniors

Safer seniors on the street

Drug abuse prevention tips

Talking to the children about drugs

Drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace

How can I help a friend with a drug or alcohol problem

Alcohol is the number one problem

Inhalants & marijuana

Self protection and personal safety tips

How I can reduce my risk of being assaulted

ATM awareness and prevention tips

Credit card precautions

Check cashing precautions

Animal protection

Identity theft prevention

Office creeper (stranger in the office) prevention

Personal security

Protect your privacy

Rape prevention

Stalking prevention

Street sense/street smart robbery and assault prevention

Jogging safety

Walking at night

What to do during a blackout

Confronting danger

Robbery prevention

Shopping safety

Acquaintance rape/rape aggression defense

The rights of crime victims

Agency’s whistle program (get a free whistle)

How to start breathing, CPR

How to start a baby breathing, CPR

Fraud/scam prevention tips

Insurance fraud

Advance fee loans

Auction fraud

Business ventures

Chain letters

Classified directories

Scam safety

Counterfeit currency

Counterfeit payment cards

Worthless check prevention

Telephone/door to door solicitations

Check, credit cards and refunds

Credit card fraud

Credit card insurance

Domain name registration scams

False/deceptive invoices

Phoney bank inspectors

Phoney job opportunities

Prime investment scheme

Pyramid schemes

Spam

Theft of telecommunication

Work-at-home schemes

Gemstone scams

Home renovation/repair fraud

Investors International

Lottery scams

Nigerian letters

Con games

What I can do about identity thefts

Know your charity

Real estate fraud

Telemarketing fraud

Mail fraud

Suspicious mail packages

Disabled persons crime prevention tips

Crime prevention tips for people with disabilities

Violence preventions

Violence prevention

Making peace: tips on managing conflict

Making children, families, and communities safer from violence

Things adults can do to stop violence

Thing children can do to stop violence

Media violence

Violence with weapons prevention

Hate crime prevention tips

Hate crime circular

Church arson prevention

Church safety survey

Get informed about hate crimes

Terrorism and homeland security

What is homeland security

Creating a family disaster plan

Developing a family disaster kit

Anthrax prevention

Air carrier protective program

Air services

Airport WATCH

The proposed anti-terrorism act

Boarder enforcement team

Coastal WATCH, airport WATCH

Customs and excise program

Immigration, passport and citizenship enforcement

Boarder enforcement

State security enforcement teams

War crimes and special investigations

“Cat Eyes” program to teach citizens how to identify terrorism

- Dismiss popular myths about terrorists, how they look and act.

- Provide training on how to observe and record details (e.g., a suspicious vehicle)

- Provide training in three areas: stationary surveillance; mobile surveillance (on foot or in vehicles); and, technical surveillance which may include the use of computers or recording or listening devises.

- Enlist retired law enforcement officers, military trained personnel, FBI, CIA, etc., to take a special lead in detecting and reporting suspicious activities in the community

- Community groups discuss suspicious activities in their respective areas

Vacation and travel security tips

Tourist victimization prevention

Vacation security

Recreational security

Business travel tips

Family travel safety

How can I make travel safer and more enjoyable

Computer crime tips

Computer crimes: a parent’s guide

Strategy to promote safe, wise and responsible internet use

Hackers, a law enforcement perspective

Web safety for you

Hi-tech crimes prevention

Internet crime prevention

Fraudulent online purchases

Online shopping

Virus transmissions

Weather and natural disaster safety tips

Heat wave emergencies

Floods

Fires

Wild fires

Landslides/mud flows

Hurricanes and tornadoes

hemical/hazardous materials

Droughts

Power failures/blackouts

Winter storms

Agency programs

Find out more about our programs in the Smithville Police Department. Provide officer’s name, telephone number, mission/vision/core values statement, priorities, strategic plan, core values, goals/objective and sample activities. Harmonize with crime prevention and safety advisories. But we need citizen involvement. Links to meeting dates and events should be included.

Start a Police and Community Together (PACT) program, for example, that combine neighborhood WATCH programs, community meetings, security surveys, knowing your beat officer, officers drive their vehicles home, vehicle WATCH program

Community policing program/activities/grants for a specific issue or how it’s already working.

Chief’s youth advisory council

Citizen Advisory Committee

Meet your officer program

Best practices directory (internal/officers only)

- For officers to share good ideas with colleagues

Police Athletic League (programs, recreation events, supporters, scholarships, honor role, etc.)

Mobile Precincts Command Center (move vehicle to where programs are working or hot spots)

- Promote safety/crime prevention programs

- For crisis incidences

- Sent out television pictures on line daily

- Send to where there is good crime prevention

Terrorism protection team

Community evolvement in anti-terrorism

- Promote community participation in the agency’s fight against terrorism.

- Program that will enhance neighborhood security, heighten community’s powers of observation, and encourage mutual assistance and concern among neighbors.

- Dismiss popular myths about terrorists and how they look and act.

- Discuss how to observe and record details of their observations (e.g., details about a suspicious vehicle)

- Train citizens to look in three areas: stationary surveillance; mobile surveillance (on foot or in vehicles); and, technical surveillance which may include the use of computers or recording or listening devises.

- Enlist retired law enforcement officers, military trained personnel, FBI, CIA, etc.,in the community to take a special lead in the agency’s “cat eyes” program

- All officers enter in gang names, members, activities

- Specific geographically community groups discuss suspicious activities

Missing person

- People missing

- What is a missing person

- Reporting a missing person

Kidz Printz: National Child Identification Program

Amber Alert, Operation TIPS electronic message board program

Youth/juvenile violence program

Defibrillation program. (Also, number of lives saved by defibrillation)

DNA data bank/National DNA Data bank Advisory Committee

Agency whistle program (get a free whistle for protection)

Victim assistance program

Resources for domestic violence victims

Gang training program

Crisis intervention team (help public with emotional/mental issues/information/referral/counseling)

Transportation security on buses, trains and airplanes

Internet and the law (list ways agency uses the internet to identify and share information via the internet, sample sites, etc.)

Traffic safety programs

- Contract for teen drivers

- Graduated license program for teen drivers

- Racial profiling at traffic stops prevention program

- Professionalism by officers at traffic stops program

- Highway WATCH (ask public to report impaired drivers, aggressive drivers, terrorism issues)

- Preventing staged collisions program

- Traffic homicide unit

- Traffic crash reconstruction unit

- Traffic enforcement events (e.g., sobriety checkpoint locations, etc.)

- Child safety seat training/installation clinic locations/laws/policies

- ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) safety programs/training/safer ride tracks

- In-car camera video clips of selected traffic stops. Show highlights (with a narration) that would have general deterrence on the public

- Traffic safety tip of the month

- Hazardous chemical spills program

- Report hit and runs

- Traffic calming (for speed and for volume)

Safety town program (traffic/personal safety pedestrian, bicycle, etc.)

Neighborhood WATCH program

Permanent metal sign program (e.g., Warning: Protected by your neighborhood WATCH, This is a Drug (or Crime) Free Area, (on highway) If You Need Help call *71), etc.

Weapon/gun enforcement programs

Bomb and arson unit

Search and rescue

Aviation unit

Canine unit

Youth counselor program

Youth investigation officer

Stalking investigation

Financial crimes program

Riot and crowd control center

Kid corner program

Citizens academy

Crime WATCH forum (When All The Citizens Help)

Rewards for information (leading to an arrest)/”tips for cash”

Block and apartment club programs

WATCH Your Car prevention program

- A volunteer decal program to help identify your car if stolen

- Let police know when car is not normally used

- Police will stop the vehicle during these hours

- Register on line or down load the forms and mail in

Vehicle VIN etching program

- Vehicle VIN number is acid etched on all vehicle windows

- Helpful in identifying vehicles sold for parts

- SNAP (Serial Numbers are Proof)

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) DARE+PLUS (Play and Learn Under Supervision) programs

DARE summer camp

Drug free zones

Drug enforcement program

Fingerprint screening services

Proceeds of crime, money laundering program

Protective policing program

Firearms Registry program

McGruff program/Take a Bite Out of Crime

Street survival news line

Organized crime program

Gang tracking program

- All officers enter in gang names, members, activities

Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT)

International policing program

- International liaison

- International training

- Interpol

Alternative Policing Strategy (APS)

Graffiti WATCH and removal program hotline

Broken window program

Workplace violence

School crime prevention

School resource officer program

New Year’s Eve gunfire into the air reduction program

Lottery enforcement

Parents for internet safety

Shadow program (where teens and high-risk youths follow officers for a day)

Animal control unit

- Adoption

- Rabies

- Bite protection

- Hunting and animal traps

- Licenses (fishing/hunting/trapping)

Law enforcement explorer program

Police Activity League (PAL)

Deputy Auxiliary Police (DAP)

Police academy magnet school program

Operations-central bureau community police academy

Safe house community program

Crime prevention for young people

Smithville juvenile division

Truancy information

Kid WATCH

Internet crime information

Show some of the agency’s crime prevention links to fight crime and terrorism.

State and National Centers Missing Child Information Clearinghouse

Police Foundation

Crime Mapping Research Center (by dots/codes showing crime locations)

International Association of Crime Analysts

International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA)

Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

Alpha Group Center (AGC) for crime and intelligence analysis training

Justice Technology Information Network (JUSTNET)

State Bureau of Investigation

Professional law enforcement organizations in the state, campus police, ATF, DEA, CIA, FBI, FEMA, IRS, Customs, Secrete Service, the National Law Enforcement Technology Center, Fire Marshal’s Office, other criminal justice organizations, etc.

FBI Most Wanted

States Most Wanted

FOPA

Registered Sex Offenders

APBONLINE

INTERNET SCAMBUSTERS

ASSULT PREVENTION INFORMATION NETWORK

AWARE

HELP FIGHT CRIME

NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL (E.G. McGruff)

COPLINK. COM

COPNET.COM

COPSONLINE

Virtual Gumshoe (investigation resources)

Bureau of Justice Statistics

The Redwood Highway

Criminal history checks

Community Anti-Terrorism Training Institute, Cat Eyes

Our city

Position and promote the law enforcement agency in context of the community in which it serves. A number of links to the city, its culture, its economy and the quality of life issues and how law enforcement agencies are connected, is important.

Economic vitality

- Economic diversity and growth

- Business climate

- Community environment

- Work opportunity and security

- Opportunity for upward mobility and success

- Regional setting and relationships

Safety community

Contact the web master

How to contact the web master (with comments, suggestions)

Last update

Sign our guest book

How would you rate our web site (e.g., great/average/poor)

We need your input/What are your suggestions for a more effective web site?

Thank you

Visitor (number), please come back again.

Visit our city’s web site

Legal notice

Conform to the legal issues in your state and the agency’s policy. Consult legal counsel.

(EXAMPLE) Neither the Smithville Police Department nor any of its contributors are responsible for the content of any off-site pages that are referenced by, or that reference the Smithville Police Department website. Users of this website specifically acknowledge that neither the Smithville Police Department nor its contributors are responsible for any defamatory, offensive, misleading or the illegal conduct of other users, links or third parties, and that the risk of injury from the foregoing rests entirely with the user.

All information provided by the Smithville Police Department on this website is made available for the convenience of interested persons only. While the Smithville Police Department believes the information to be reliable, human, electronic or mechanical error remains a possibility. Therefore, the Smithville Police Department does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or correct sequencing of the information. Neither the Smithville Police Department nor any sources of the information shall be responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the use of the results obtained from the use of this information. This website includes images which may not be saved or downloaded, and are available for viewing purposes only.

Privacy statement

Conform to the legal issues in your state and the agency’s policy. Consult legal counsel.

(EXAMPLE) When you browse the Smithville Police Department website, read pages, or download information, we gather and store certain information about your visit automatically. This information does not identify you personally. The following information is gathered and stored automatically.

- The internet domain (example: police.com) and the IP address (the number automatically assigned to your computer when surfing the Web) from which you access our portal

- The type of browser and operating system used to access our site

- The date and time you access our site

- The pages you visit

- The address from which you linked to the Smithville Police Department Website

This information is used to make the Smithville Police Department Website more useful to visitors, to learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology our visitors use. We do not track or record information about individuals and their visits.

_______________

Track web site results

Track the number of web site queries (put number on the home page)

Track the number of queries on specific pages

At a higher level of evaluation, it is possible to track the number of people that actually listened to the news conference or took time to research information.

Ask new recruits if they accessed the web site

Develop a qualitative report on the impact of your web site

If you use the web site for training, monitor and track your success

Promote the web site on line

Identify a good domain name

Promote the web site on the major search engines

Develop links to community and state-wide groups and encourage them to link with the agencies on specific topics

Web masters e-mail

Promote the web site on printed materials and in community presentations

The web site and its contents should be continually promoted by all agency spokespersons when talking with the community

Print the web site address on all news releases, agency materials, etc.

Promote the web site to the media where you will post news releases, fact sheets, digital photographs, audio quotes from the chief, etc.

_______________

NOTES: Please feel free to use this information in any way without attribution. Also, when convenient, please e-mail me additional topics that may be transferable to other agencies. This way I can periodically update this list.

James Onder's Email Address: jonder@extrication.com

Thank you and good luck in enhancing your web site.

Jim

Extrication.Com are advanced motor vehicle extrication specialists, providing emergency responder training world wide in all types of motor vehicle extrication for police, fire, EMS and DOD personnel.