Quality of Life Task Force Lauded for Innovation, Success
In recognition of their best practices and the success of the Quality of Life Task Force, the New Rochelle Police Department has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Community Policing Award from the International Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Cisco. The award was presented at the national conference on October 26 and locally to the Department at the November 9 meeting of the New Rochelle City Council. This is the fifth International Policing Award the New Rochelle Police Department has received in the past 10 years (see awards list below).
Formed in 2007, the Quality of Life Task Force is a multi-agency force comprising police, fire, buildings, public works departments and the county electrical inspectors, overseen by the law department. With multiple agencies participating, the Task Force can ensure that various violations are addressed in a comprehensive and immediate manner. As a result of their efforts, complaints from targeted locations were reduced nearly 16% between 2007 and 2011. Part 1 Crimes for the entire City decreased 25% from 2008-2010; and 2010 had the lowest total since 1961.
“In their years of operation, the Task Force has reduced calls for service, uncovered and corrected life-threatening hazards, and fostered lasting, working partnerships with other City agencies,” said New Rochelle Police Commissioner Patrick J. Carroll.
City Manager Charles B. Strome, III noted, “The Task Force has improved the quality of life for all of our citizens. I commend the Police, Fire, Buildings, Public Works and Law departments and our other partners on this well-deserved honor.”
“The philosophy of community policing is more relevant and necessary today than ever before,” said Todd A. Miller, chairman of the Community Policing Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “With resources limited by current economic conditions, the force multiplication agencies receive by implementing the community policing philosophy and partnering with citizens is the most effective means of making our communities safer, whether it be from crime or from terrorism.”
“Cisco is honored to support public safety organizations around the world and recognize the contributions of community policing agencies represented by the IACP Community Policing Awards.” said Bob Stanberry, former Chief of Police and current Public Safety Channel Solutions for Cisco, for the Community Policing Awards. “We’re proud to support this outstanding awards program and collaborate with agencies in local communities.”
Developed by the International Chiefs of Police, the Community Policing Award was created in 1998 to recognize outstanding community policing initiatives by law enforcement agencies worldwide. The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization of police executives, with more than 20,000 members in more than 140 different countries. IACP’s leadership consists of the operating chief executives of international, federal, state and local agencies of all sizes.
Other 2011 winners include Purceville, Virginia; New Brighton, MN; Dayton, OH; and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; and finalists Lincoln, NH; Sandwich, NH; Madison, AL; Hurst, TX; Rowlett, TX; Albuquerque, NM; and Boston, MA.
The City of New Rochelle has won the following International Policing Awards:
2000- Semi-finalist, Webber Seavey Award
2002- Winner, ITT’s Community Policing Award
2005- Winner, Webber Seavey Award (only municipal agency in New York State to win this award)
2010- Semi-finalist, Webber Seavey Award
2011- Winner, Cisco’s Community Policing Award
CAPTION: Police Commissioner Patrick J. Carroll receives the Community Policing Award from IACP Community Policing Panel Member Norman Campion, Briarcliff Manor Chief of Police.
