Police Reform Resources

COMMUNITY POLICE ADVISORY TEAM


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During the summer and fall of 2020, the Burlington City Council, City Manager and other staff have been working with the community to draft a charter for the Community Police Advisory Team (CPAT).  

On November 17, 2020, Burlington City Council approved the charter for the Community Police Advisory Team (CPAT). CPAT will advise the City of Burlington Police Department by working with the City Manager and the Police Chief.

The City of Burlington and the Burlington Police Department embrace community policing and transparency. We’re looking for informed, engaged Burlington residents willing to help us ensure we are achieving our goals and meeting the needs of our community.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply to be a member of Burlington Community Police Advisorty Team online here. 

Pick up a paper application at the Municipal Building 425 S. Lexington Ave.

You can also request to have one mailed to you by emailing or calling Rebecca Steciw at rsteciw@burlingtonnc.gov or 336.229.3540. 

FINAL CPAT CHARTER

FINAL APPROVED CPAT Charter Full Document 


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Community Response from burlington police department 


The murder of George Floyd sparked a robust and meaningful conversation about reforming policing around the nation and world. The Burlington Police Department is committed to being a part of that conversation and stands with our community. 
Chief Jeffrey Smythe letter and response to community questions  June 10, 2020
#8Can'tWait Memo/Request and BPD Response  July 2, 2020
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Press Conference: Use of Force and Community Interaction hosted by "Actively Changing Together" (ACT) and Alamance County Law Enforcement Agencies   July 3, 2020
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Alamance Agents for Change Memo/Request with Clarification  June 21, 2020
Burlington Police Department Response to Alamance Agents for Change Memo/Request  July 3, 2020
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Accreditation for police departments 


Accreditation holds police departments to a set of standards and guidelines.
What is CALEA Accreditation and why does it matter? 

The Burlington Police Department was first accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc, (CALEA) in April, 1989. The agency has maintained accredited status, in good standing, for the last 27 years and was re-accredited with Advanced Gold Standard at the March 2017 conference. Learn more

There are nearly 18,000 eligible law enforcement agencies (local, state, and federal in the United States) that could choose to be accredited. For a variety of reasons, about 726 agencies are currently accredited. Only about 4% of police agencies are currently accredited in the US. 

Burlington Police Department meets 100% of CALEA  accreditation standards meeting the requirements of “Gold Standard in Public Safety.”
 
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NCDOJ weighs in 


The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission recently published a press release about the work they are doing to provide high quality training and standards for law enforcement officers in North Carolina. You can read the full press release here.

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NACOLE:


Members of the City of Burlington Administration and City of Burlington Police Department joined NACOLE (National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement) to continue to learn and practice the leading methods in community engagement.  

A Meaningful Sign:


At May 31, 2020's peaceful gathering in North Park, someone gave Chief Smythe a sign and he carried it proudly. He brought the sign to Headquarters so other officers could express their solidarity with those who protest the killing of George Floyd and all police brutality. Many on duty today took a moment to proudly do just that.



PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE:

The executive committee of the NCACP produced the attached public service announcement to help illustrate what police agencies are currently doing or have done in the area of police reform and training.

The intent of this PSA is to inform the public of the years of hard work of the NCACP on police reform led by this association. Learn more here