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136 <br /> <br />REPORT: STATE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT <br /> <br /> Police Chief Julian Rittenhouse highlighted items in the State of the Police <br />Department report. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he appreciates the dramatic increase in the number of summons <br />issued and said it would be helpful to be able to compare other crime statistics with those <br />of years' past. <br /> <br />Chief Rittenhouse noted that major crimes are down 6% in the City. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that the Criminal Justice Planner with the Thomas Jefferson <br />Planning District Commission is doing a criminal justice study which should be available <br />soon. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty asked about the Police Department's suct, ess in recruiting African- <br />American officers, and Chief RittenhOuse said that last year the Department recruited <br />from throughout the state and, of eight officers hired, five were African-American, Chief <br />Rittenhouse said that, unfortunately, three 0fthose officers have since resigned to take <br />positions offering higher salaries or to remm to school. ChiefRittenhouse said that the <br />Department continues to have trouble competing financially, and is working with the <br />Human Resources Department on the issue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that if the prOblem is one of economics, he hopes the Department <br />will recommend m Council'ways to keep the Department diverse. <br /> <br /> Responding to questions from Mr. Caravati, ChiefRittenhouse said that overall <br />retention rates are stable in the Department, and hewilt have to provide him information <br />later on the average tenure. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty asked if Chief Rittenhouse had met with the group of African- <br />American ministers who appeared before Council last year, and if not, recommended that <br />he give them the State of the Department report. <br /> <br /> ChiefRittenhouse said he has not met with the ministers as a group, but has met <br />with individuals. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if the recent violence at Colombine High School in Colorado <br />has resulted in changes, and ChiefRittenhouse said he has met with the Superintendent of <br />Schools and principals and the police have put together a security plan. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox noted that the report contained no reference to the youth curfew and <br />asked if there is statistical data on that program and if it has had any affect. <br /> <br /> Chief Rittenhouse said'he will provide the data to Mr. Cox, and said he feels the <br />curfew has had a good a affect and is a good ordinance. ChiefRittenhouse said that the <br />police are getting excellent cooperation on the part. of youth. <br /> <br /> ?vis. Richards said there are experts on youth violence at the University of <br />Virginia, and she hopes that the local communitymn take advantage of them as great <br />resources. <br /> <br /> Chief Rittenhouse said that the schools are issuing an RFP for consultants in this <br />ar~a. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she hears from residents that they are unsure who to call when <br />situations arise, and Chief Rittenhouse said that if there isa need for a police officer, <br />medical assistance or a fire, residents should always call 9It. If residents have an <br />information question, they should call the Departmem's business number. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that there has been press coverage of profiling of certain <br />individuals in the country by potice because of how they look or who they are, especially <br /> <br /> <br />