Community Relations

The Community Relations Unit of the Allen Police Department is part of the Office of the Chief of Police. The unit is currently made up of three (3) full time officers, Sergeant Jon Felty, Officer Gerald Marshall, and Officer Jason Erter. The Community Relations Unit is located at the Allen Premium Outlets, 820 W. Stacy, in Watters Creek at 968 Garden Park Drive, and also at the Allen Police Department Headquarters. The store front offices affords officers closer and more casual contact with citizens than the formal setting at police headquarters.

The purpose of the Community Relations Unit is to enhance the already existing positive relationship between citizens and their police department. The unit offers various programs to the public at no cost. These presentations include topics such as Stranger Danger, Workplace Violence, Neighborhood Watch, Identity Theft, Burglary Prevention and Check Fraud. The Community Relations Unit also organizes and promotes National Night Out which is held the first Tuesday in August of every year.

The Citizens Police Academy is one of the most popular programs coordinated by this unit. The Citizens Police Academy meets one evening a week for twelve weeks. Participants of the academy are introduced to traffic-related laws, DWI stops, crime scene investigations, SWAT, K9, and participate in various field trips. Graduates of this academy are eligible for further training in two (2) volunteer groups; Citizens On Patrol (COPs) and Volunteers In Policing (VIPs).

Volunteers are trained in radio procedures, patrol techniques, and observation of possible criminal activity. VIPs assist at police headquarters in positions throughout the department including support services, criminal investigations, records, and lobby desk.

The Community Relations Unit also oversees the Police Explorers program, conducts station tours, instructs in child safety seat installation, home inspections, and tobacco and alcohol inspection and enforcement. These are just a few of the many ways we are “Serving Our Community“.