Applicable To: All Weed and Seed Unit employees

Approval Authority:  Chief George N. Turner

Signature:  Signed by GNT

Date Signed:  10/4/11

1.               PURPOSE

The intent of this directive is to establish the guidelines and operating procedures for the Weed and Seed Unit, with the aim of weeding out violent crime, drug trafficking, drug-related crime, prostitution-related crime, general disorder and derelict or sub-standard housing from the current Weed and Seed neighborhoods and then seeding these areas through social and economic revitalization.

2.               POLICY

The Atlanta Police Department shall reduce crime and improve resident’s quality of life. The function of the Weed and Seed Unit is to “weed out” violent crime, gang activity, drug use and drug trafficking in Weed and Seed neighborhoods and then “seed” the target area by restoring these neighborhoods through social and economic revitalization.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The COPS commander will oversee the actions of the Weed and Seed Unit.

3.2              The Weed and Seed Unit commander will report directly to the COPS commander.

3.3              The Weed and Seed commander will monitor the Weed and Seed Unit operations to ensure that proactive and preventative law enforcement strategies are implemented in Weed and Seed communities.

3.4              Weed and Seed investigators and officers will develop constructive, working relationships with police units, the Mayor’s Office of Weed and Seed and members of the community. (CALEA 5^th ed. standard 45.2)

3.5              All employees are responsible for adhering to the guidelines set forth in this directive.

4.               ACTION

4.1              Operating Hours/On-Call Schedule

4.2              The Weed and Seed Unit will promote comprehensive strategies to reduce crime and revitalize Weed and Seed communities.

4.3              The hours of operation for the Weed and Seed Unit will vary depending on the assigned detail or community event.

4.4              Dress Code for the Weed and Seed Unit

4.5              Weed and Seed Unit members will wear either the Class A uniform, tactical clothing, or any other clothing (including plain-clothes or customized uniform attire) approved by the section commander.

4.6              The section commander will monitor the appearance of Weed and Seed officers to ensure that the image of the unit coincides with the enforcement objective.

4.7              Employees assigned to the Weed and Seed Unit will either wear plain clothes or will wear black BDU pants and long or short sleeve t-shirts with the department approved black mesh vest that clearly and readily identifies the employee as a police officer.  A metal breast name tag or an embroidered name tag will be worn on the right breast side of the jumpsuit, jacket or the department approved black mesh vest. The Weed and Seed Unit shall comply with the guidelines as described in APD.SOP.2130 “Dress code.” The section commander may authorize other uniforms based on a particular assignment or detail.

4.8              Duties of Weed and Seed Unit

4.8.1           The responsibilities of personnel assigned to the Weed and Seed Unit include but are not limited to:

1.    Implementing programs and developing cooperative relationships to enhance the quality of life for citizens in the Weed and Seed communities.

2.    Developing and implementing proactive and preventative law enforcement strategies.

3.    Participating in community projects that support the development of the youth and other members of the community.

4.    Coordinating the Mobile Community Outreach Police Station (MCOPS) vehicle for Weed and Seed Outreach and other law enforcement functions.

5.               DEFINITIONS

                  N/A

6.               CANCELLATIONS

                  N/A

7.               REFERENCES

                  Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies 5^th Edition Standard 45.2.1

                  APD.SOP.2130 “Dress Code”