.?lgreement

Between The

Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P.

And The

Abington Twp. Police Department

   

Historical Background

Since the mid-?-1990?s, the Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P. and the Abington Township Police Department have worked together to facilitate better
communication and understanding, and to improve the police protection and service to all citizens in the community. In fact, on August 27, 1998, Willow
Grove N.A.A.C.P. President Sandra Fields Henley and Police Chief Bill Kelly signed a historic agreement encouraging citizens to come forward with
complaints against the police and providing guidelines for the handling of those complaints. In addition, the document described how citizens could go to
the Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P. to serve as the complainant?s ombudsman in the ?ling of complaints, and in receiving the ?nal report about the complaint
investigation, of?cer discipline, if any, and the disposition ofthe complaint. That document contained the of?cial seal ofthe Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P and
the Abington Police Department, as well as the signature of President Fields Henley and Chief Kelly.

Current Perspective

Now, as a result of current issues across the U.S. and locally, the Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P. and the Abington Township Police Department are again
entering Into a formal agreement to ensure that lines of communication and cooperation are open and effective, and that these organizations are
working together to obtain the goals listed below. -

Agreement

On January 16, 2017 at the Annual Abington Township Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service, The Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P. and the
Abington Township Police Department entered into the following historic agreement:

1. COMMUNICATION. Both parties agree to maintain an open and active communication, immediately bringing forward questions, concerns
or problems.

2. KEY CONTACT LIST. To facilitate this communication, both organizations will maintain a current list of key contacts.

3. AVAILABILITY. Both parties agree to make themselves available to the other whenever either party deems such meeting as important or
necessary.

4. PERIODIC MEETINGS. Both parties agree to meet at least once each calendar year to ensure ongoing lines of communication.

5. POLICE TRAINING. Both parties agree to work together to ensure that Abington Police Of?cers are regularly being given training that
enhances their ability to have effective, respectful, and peaceful interactions with all citizens, but especially minority citizens.

6. POLICE RECRUITMENT. Both parties agree to work together to encourage and assist local residents, especially African American

residents, to consider serving the Abington/Willow Grove community by becoming a Police Of?cer with the Abington Township Police
Department.

7. MISCONDUCT COMPLAINTS. Both parties agree to work together to encourage all citizens to report all incidents of perceived police
misconduct either:
a. Directly to any Abington Township Police Department Supervisor
b. To any NAACP Representative
c. To an Abington Township Commissioner or other elected of?cial
d. Any Pastor, Minister, or community leader of the complainant?s choice

8. COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS. The Abington Police Department agrees that, as in the past, ALL citizen complaints, regardless oftheir
source, will be thoroughly investigated, and that appropriate training, or discipline will be applied to the involved 

9. INVESTIGATION TRANSPARENCY. The Abington Police Department also agrees that information aboutthe complaint, its
investigation, and follow-up will be disclosed to:
a. The complainant
b. Anyone that the complainant asks to act on their behalf
c. The Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P. upon request, and on a periodic basis.

10. ONGOING COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION. Going forward, the leadership of both organizations agree to work in cooperation to
continue to improve police/community relations and to ensure just and caring police protection and service, and improved quality of life,
for all citizens within the borders of Abington Township, 

Witn?m For the V'a?Vfllowu?: Grove N. A. 
Wayne Luker, President VMs. Valerie Ward, President
Township Board of Commissioners Willow Grove N.A.A.C.P.

 

 

Abing

For The Abington Township Police Department:

 



Deputy Chief Patrick