Smithfield, RI
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Community Policing Programs
Community Policing Division:
Citizens’ Police Academy
The Community Police Academy (CPA) is an eight-week program designed to provide participants with an insight into police operations. While attending the CPA, participants will be introduced to a wide variety of department functions. Participants will become familiar with the actual role of the police, and police officers will benefit from the wealth of knowledge that citizens can provide about the community.
Law Enforcement Explorer Program
The Law Enforcement Explorer Post is a program sponsored by Boy Scouts of America for young men and women, ages 14 – 21. Law Enforcement Exploring is a youth development program centered around the five areas of program emphasis: career opportunities, leadership experience, life skills, service learning and character education. The purpose of the Explorer program is to educate and involve youths in police operations and to interest them in a future career in law enforcement.
High School Citizens’ Police Academy
The High School Citizens' Police Academy is a seven-week program designed to provide participants with an insight into police operations. While attending the academy, participants will be introduced to a wide variety of department functions. The academy is developed to encourage youths to learn more about their police department and an overview of the law enforcement profession.
D.A.R.E. Elementary School Program
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Elementary School Program teaches students about the harmful effects of alcohol, drug abuse, bullying and increases their self-esteem by showing positive alternatives of ways to say no to alcohol, drugs, and violence. The fifth grade curriculum is an 18-week program with visitations to other grades.
D.A.R.E. Middle School Program
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Middle School Program reinforces what the students have learned in the fifth grade D.A.R.E. Program. It also focuses on how to avoid potentially violent situations and relationships. This program teaches students the six universally accepted characteristics needed to promote a high self-esteem and strong character as they become young adults in the community.
School Resource Officer Program
In April of 2002, the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services announced the availability of federal funds to deploy sworn School Resource Officers (SRO) as part of an overall plan to address school related crime through community policing. The Smithfield Police Department received a grant award of $125,000 and selected its first SRO. Following a mandatory training period, the first SRO was assigned to the Smithfield High School in the fall of 2003, and has remained an integral part of the school ever since.
Senior Citizen Advocacy
The Community Police Officers serve as the Department’s Senior Citizen Advocates. They work closely with the Smithfield Senior Center, Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) and senior citizens in the community. They assist in the investigations of elderly abuse and elderly self-neglect. They also alert senior citizens of on-going scams and distribute literature explaining ways to protect themselves from crimes.
Smithfield Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
The Smithfield Police Department works closely with the Smithfield Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. The coalition conducts substance abuse prevention programs and meets monthly at the Smithfield High School. The Department assigns members of the community policing unit to serve on the coalition. The department has greatly benefited from this partnership, as it has received several grants which are administered by Tri-Town Community Action.
Car Seat Installation Clinics
The Smithfield Police Department has several car seat technicians available to instruct residents on the proper installation of child restraint systems – at no cost. This is for Smithfield residents and done by appointment only.
Female Self-Defense Program
The Female Self-Defense Program is geared to educate participants on how to avoid being targeted and what action to take if selected as a victim; it is not intended to turn participants into martial arts experts. Participants must be Town residents or business owners and at least 18 years of age. This is a 4-week program which meets for two hours, each week.
Leadership Academy
The Smithfield Leadership Academy is a joint effort between the Smithfield School Department and the Smithfield Police Department aimed at Smithfield youth, providing them with guidance and support to become successful adults. This two-week summertime program includes field trips, and numerous activities.
Safety Visitations
The unit visits daycare facilities and provides the children with a safety lessons. They also host several groups such as the Boy Scouts and provide safety lectures as well as a tour of the police station.
National Night Out
The Department once again partnered with the Crossings at Smithfield businesses and the community to deliver another fun-filled “National Night Out” against crime. The event has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer community.
D.A.R.E. To Be Fit Bike Ride
In an effort to promote saying “Yes” to positive alternatives, Smithfield youths join the Smithfield Police Department Community Policing for an annual bike ride that takes participants off-road through the campuses of the Smithfield High School, Anna McCabe School, Gallagher Middle School and Deerfield Park.