TCA Team Community Newsletter

Third Chief Monitor Report (CMR-3)

       The third Chief Monitor’s Report (CMR) was released in March 2021. This report evaluates compliance levels of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) between the April and September 2020 time period in relation to the Consent Decree entered between the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Nine of the 11 assessment areas were evaluated in CMR-3.
       CMR-3’s performance period covers the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social and economic impacts, which significantly impacted law enforcement activities and the monitoring process.
       Overall, PRPB received lower ratings in CMR-3 than in CMR-2 across virtually all areas of the decree. This is due to several factors, primarily related to PRPB’s knowledge management and information technology capacity. PRPB failed to meet deadlines for submitting key data to the Monitor’s Office and thus was rated as partially compliant or not compliant on many paragraphs. More broadly, CMR-3 raised numerous issues with PRPB’s capacity to identify, collect, disseminate, and analyze data on its performance.
       The Monitor is hopeful that the above issues related to PRPB’s data management and responsiveness to data requests will be addressed going forward and has had several discussions with the newly appointed PRPB Commissioner and the Secretary of Public Safety about these concerns. Click the Read More button below to access the full CMR-3 Report or Executive Summary.

Meet the Team

       The Office of the Technical Compliance Advisor (TCA) is comprised of 10 subject matter experts from across the United States. The Technical Compliance Advisors are a diverse group of professionals, lawyers, law enforcement, and policing practice experts in the modernization and professionalization of the police force, organizational change, data analytics, information systems, and technology, among others. The team oversees the implementation of the Consent Decree in adopting reforms aimed at ensuring safe and constitutional policing in Puerto Rico. To learn more about the team, please visit the Office of the TCA website.  

Office of the TCA Federal Monitors and areas of expertise include:

Meeting with the
Community Interaction Committee

       The CIC (the Community Interaction Committee) is a group of volunteers, all professionals in their respective field of work, who were selected and confirmed by the PR Police Commissioner to address the needs of their communities in collaboration with PRPB, to fight crime and improve quality of life.
       On March 3^rd, 2021, the TCA team held a community outreach meeting with CIC representatives from various areas of Puerto Rico (including Utuado, Carolina, Central Committee, Humacao, Bayamón, Aibonito, Ponce, and Mayagüez) to speak about the CIC concerns, exchange information, and explore roadblocks to fulfill the responsibilities between them and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
        The group discussed the need for the PRPB to learn of the CIC’s mission and responsibilities, improving training and communication. As well, the CIC hopes to actively participate in recommending the implementation of strategies to address community safety issues, recruitment, and conveying constructive feedback to PRPB.
       The CIC representatives are interested and actively seek active participation and involvement in PRPB’s community outreach initiatives in order to facilitate community involvement and build a stronger bond between the police and the community. 
       The Monitor agreed on conveying the Committee’s concerns not only with the Office of the Reform but with the Commissioner as well to promote the endeavor at the organizational level.

Meetings with the Community

       Firstly, starting the year on January 18-21, 2021 the team and members of the USDOJ held a meeting with a representative from Comunidad Hill Brother. During this meeting, they discussed different topics which included, the lack of trust, communication, and assistance from the PRPB.
       Secondly, on February 9, 2021 CARINCP, a non-profit organization that secures resources, promotes compliance, identifies funding, and provides advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their families to improve their quality of life, met with the TCA team. During the meeting, the representative spoke about the PRPB’s lack of knowledge and appropriate training when dealing with individuals with disabilities. There is a struggle due to the PRPB’s unfamiliarity with their characteristics and traits, or not being properly equipped with the skills to communicate appropriately. 
       On April 8, 2021, representatives from the Asian Community met with the team to discuss the violence that has risen against the Asian community. During the meeting issues such as the lack of reported crimes, the difficulties members of the Asian community have due to language barriers, and lack of interpreters was discussed.
       That same day, ALAPAS (Alianza Para la Paz Social) representative met with the team. ALAPAS is a non-profit organization that provides services to crime victims, specifically those having lost a loved one. The Organization provides psychological services, group and individual therapy sessions, and legal advocacy free of charge. However, the representative reported that there is a lack of follow-through from PRPB when it came to the exchange of information, assistance with investigations, follow through on solved crimes, and keeping abreast on releases, for offenders under custody, safeguard victims, and provide support.
       Lastly, on June 10, 2021, the members of Iniciativa Comunitaria Cidreña met with the Monitor and his team to discuss their initiatives on behalf of the community of Cidra, P.R. This group is committed to addressing quality of life issues, educate the community on safety concerns and assist in crime prevention, in coordination with the Community Agent, Norton Hernández. The Alliance's initiatives include activities such a the safety and health fair held on May 28^th. The Alliance continues working with the community and hopes to develop, strengthen, and formalize alliances with the Puerto Rico Police for the benefit of the community.
 

Stay Informed

       There are various ways the community can get involved in the Puerto Rico Police Reform:
 
Follow the progress and learn more on our website and by connecting to us on social media!

 You can also earn more about the reform, review our reports, learn about the other members of the team, and request meetings with the Monitor or other representatives of the Team by visiting our website.