By Laura DeKoven Waxman
January 31, 2011

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Director Bernard Melekian told the mayors January 21 that the delivery of police services will change over the next few years and the COPS Office is committed to helping them make those changes. He mentioned that some cities with high violent crime rates have had to lay off police officers and said that while the COPS Office can't solve cities' budget problems, it can support their efforts to make the provision of policing services more cost-effective.

Among the cost'saving approaches Melekian suggested are greater sharing of regional resources and changes in the delivery of request-for-service calls. He also commented that since police departments are often the arm of city governments that citizens see and interact with most frequently, police officers need to be trained to be their city's "ambassadors," and reiterated his Office's commitment to providing training and technical assistance.

Melekian also said that his Office would move toward more comprehensive applications for hiring grants starting this year. There will be more emphasis on regional partnerships and on demonstrating what the funding provided accomplishes. There will also be greater emphasis on hiring civilians to provide certain policing services.

Conference of Mayors Criminal and Social Justice Committee Chair Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker introduced Melekian, and reiterated the Conference of Mayors commitment to seeing the COPS program adequately funded so that all cities will be able to take advantage of the vital help it provides. She commented that all of the mayors appreciate the Director "for his professionalism, the practical experience he brings as a former police chief, and his genuine concern for all of our cities."