The POPS Program was initiated to enable the City of Phoenix and various community and business leaders to assist organized neighborhoods in recruiting police officers to become residents in their community. Currently, this program involves only certified Crime Free Multi-Housing locations. This program is an element of an overall all commitment between the city and its neighborhoods related to crime prevention and a Community Based Policing philosophy.
The intended goal of the POPS Program is to enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods by making them safe enough for people to live without fear of crime.
The benefits to the community resulting from the placement of officers in their neighborhoods that become familiar with the area are:
- A strong deterrent to crime
- An open line of communication between the community and the police
- The presence of marked police take-home vehicles (when available)
- Continuing financial benefit from stabilized or improved property values
Officers that volunteer to live at properties participating in the program are expected to be good neighbors and a resource to their community. All direct police or security service will continue to be handled through crime stop, 9 1 1, private security companies, or non-resident off-duty officers working within the guidelines of departmental off-duty policies.
The benefits to the officers are:
- Mutually agreed upon financial incentives related to rent, utilities or furnished apartments
- A marked take-home police vehicle (up to 2 per precinct when available), provided that the location of the residence is within the same police precinct in which they work.
The requirements for officers to participate are:
- Fulltime employee in a uniformed assignment
- Not on probation
- Positive written recommendation from their chain of command
- Willing to complete an 8-hour block of instruction on the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program
- A PMG Standard of MET or higher on each of their last two evaluations.
The requirements for apartments to participate are:
- Completion and certification in all three phases of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program
- Completion and approval of a program application. Only certified properties that complete the application and are approved will be accepted as POPS Program locations.
To obtain applications for officers or apartments, apartment locations,
or other related information, contact the Community Programs Sergeant
in the Patrol Operations Bureau at
(602) 495-2419 or fax (602) 495-0819.
Additional Information:
The following information and requirements outline the key elements of the Police Officer Placement Solution (POPS) Program:
Initiated in October of 1993, involving single-family residences, public housing, and multi-housing apartments. Incentives were offered for officers to buy or rent identified properties throughout the City of Phoenix to promote an increased police presence in struggling neighborhoods. Currently, the program involves only certified Crime Free Multi-Housing apartments.
The department does not currently require officers to attend community meetings, however, individual commitments will likely be negotiated during determination of financial incentives being received by the officer from the housing location. Officers are encouraged to become involved with their neighbors as citizens and participate whenever possible in crime prevention efforts (i.e. Block Watch, G.A.I.N., etc.).
Precinct Commanders have authorized the use of up to two marked police vehicles per precinct by participating POPS officers, as available, provided that the POPS location is in the same precinct in which the officer works. Officers may only use those assigned cars for travel back and forth between their workstation and the POPS location when off-duty.
- Note: According to the Internal Revenue Service as of February 1998, there are no restrictions or requirements for officers to report the financial incentives they receive from their POPS apartments as long as they are not providing a direct service to the apartments in exchange for those incentives (i.e., security guard, etc.).
The following instructions are related to the application procedure:
- Complete an application packet and submit to the Patrol Operations Bureau Community Programs Sergeant for approval through the chain of command. A confirmation notice will be sent upon approval of your application.
- Schedule and attend a mandatory Crime Free Multi-Housing Seminar
through the citywide CFMH Coordinator (Officer Connie Stine) at (602)
495-6897. Obtain a signature on your confirmation notice and fax it
to the Community Programs Sergeant in the Patrol Operations Bureau at
(602) 495-0819 to confirm your seminar attendance. Your name will be
added to a list pending final approval.
- Final approval will require a copy of a completed lease agreement,
not to exceed six months, which identifies the POPS location selected
and the terms, including a list of any incentives provided by the selected
property, to be forwarded to the Community Programs Sergeant in the
Patrol Operations Bureau for review and filing.
- A memo will be forwarded to the applicant and a copy to their immediate supervisor for the division file confirming your approval and participation in the POPS Program.
Note: Failure to complete these steps will disqualify you from participation
in the POPS Program.