21st Century Policing
Community and Trust. The Williston Police Department has taken great strides to build strong community relations to make the Williston community stable and safe for all.
In 2014, the Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing was published. The report developed six “pillars” that truly create a foundation for how to successfully police in the 21st Century.
Here at the Williston Police Department, these pillars have been adopted as being the best standards in modern policing. We believe in a strong foundation of transparency, trust, and community engagement to make the Police Department thrive as a professional and respected agency.
Below are the 6 pillars. You can also read the executive summary which includes initiative recommendations.
Pillar 1: Building Trust and Legitimacy
People are more likely to obey the law when they believe that those who are enforcing it have the legitimate authority to tell them what to do . . . . The public confers legitimacy only on those they believe are acting in procedurally just ways.
Pillar 2: Policy & Oversight
Citizens have a constitutional right to freedom of expression, including the right to peacefully demonstrate.
Pillar 3: Technology & Social Media
Implementing new technologies can give police departments an opportunity to fully engage and educate communities in a dialogue about their expectations for transparency, accountability, and privacy.
Pillar 4: Community Policing & Crime Reduction
Community policing requires the active building of positive relationships with members of the community.
Pillar 5: Training & Education
Hiring officers who reflect the community they serve is important not only to external relations but also to increasing understanding within the agency.
Pillar 6: Officer Wellness & Safety
The wellness and safety of law enforcement officers is critical not only to themselves, their colleagues, and their agencies but also to public safety.