Deanna’s Voice foundation was created after Deanna Cook was murdered while on a call with the Dallas Police department that lasted almost 10 minutes. One of the missions of Deanna’s Voice is to be a voice for the voiceless victims of violence by providing accurate and effective communication between law enforcement and the community.

Deanna’s Voice has identified key failures in the 911 call center and academy training. Our premise is to reform changes in the system that are flawed in order to eradicate the continued lost of lives due to the unfortunate mistakes that occur within the department.

Below is a list from the suggested reform that provides context for the issues that are of concern,and solutions that will eliminate some of the issues at hand.

According the Dallas Police Departments Academy curriculum, the required number of community service hours does not include areas in urban communities. From those training hours:

• Only 2 hours are spent on hearing/visually/mobility impaired

• 0 hours are spent for training on handling the mentally ill

• A total 4 hours spent on the history and role of African American & LGBT Community w/ DPD

• The 4 hours spent on racial profiling only identifies the legislative requirements placed on peace officers & law enforcement

So we ask the question? How can you successfully protect and serve a community without taking the time to acquaint yourself with it's residents? How can call center operators & officers properly and safely de-escalate conflict without proper training? According to our research the need includes:

• Inadequate screening of officers (1 psych test given at pre-screening only)

• Lack of adequate number of call center employees (2015 report)

• Lack of training of handling mentally ill citizens. (0hrs spent in academy)

• Outdated location-tracking equipment

• Inadequate training of staff

• Slow call response time (2015 report)

We request that changes are made to the recruiting and hiring process of our Dallas Police Department Officers. Implementing required psychological testing that reveals suppressed impulses and fears of applicant's during employee screening and Police Academy instruction to aid as a solution. Also, continuing to screen officers even after being hired to reveal changes in beliefs, fears, and mindsets do to the intense nature of the job.

By signing this petition, you will join us in our pursuit to:

• Provide additional psychological screening to officers
• Provide adequate training of officers and call center recruits
• Require updated 9-1-1 continuing education training
• Create Police Academy screening that identifies psychological disorders
• Create Police Academy programs inclusive of mandatory call center hours
• Require additional mandatory hours and tests in order to enter police force

Signing the petition takes no time at all. Two minutes of your time can help save our community and bring us closer to our desired results. We are hopeful that through this petition, legislation will change and result in a decrease in police and civilian fatality and an increase in the trust between the community and the police officers that serve in it.

Use your Voice to make a change today!

Please be sure to visit our website

www.DeannasVoice.org