Enhancing Public Safety Through Strategic Evaluation
Patrick Flannelly
Podcast Host @ The Coptimizer Podcast | Retired Chief of Police, Father, Husband, Son, Brother, Veteran, Thinker, Tinkerer, Learner, Leader, Follower, Fitness Fanatic, Coach.
When was the last time you conducted a complete organizational review of your agency?? If you find yourself asking the question, "Have I ever conducted an organizational review?" Fear not; you are not alone. #FOMO
#FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out
Okay, maybe fear is not the correct adjective, and my social media acronym game needs some work, but the point is this; If you are not conducting a form of organizational review, regularly, then you are missing out on opportunities to improve your agency and the service you provide to your community.
What should be evaluated? Well, that really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. A strategic plan for a police department sets the goals that the department will work toward and provides a framework for achieving those goals. The plan also includes a roadmap for how the goals will be accomplished.
Strategic planning can help identify and anticipate trends and issues that the organization faces, both currently and in the future. The planning process also explores options, sets directions, and helps stakeholders make appropriate decisions.
If you don't know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere. - Henry Kissinger
Okay, but the title of this article said something about organizational reviews, not strategic plans. What is the point here?
The point is this. While a strategic plan can help police departments be more effective, efficient, and transparent in their work while improving the safety and well-being of officers and the community, it is just that. A plan.
"No plan of operations extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy's main strength." Sun-Tzu
Plans are just plans. Even General Eisenhower was keen on plans, but he valued the "planning process" over the "plans" themselves because things on the ground are constantly changing. Therefore, adaptability is critical to the success of any plan. There really is no better example of this than modern policing.
Organizational reviews are the Ying to the Strategic Plans Yang. The trends in policing are shifting at a pace that is often underestimated and unanticipated.? It is incumbent upon police leaders to look inward, to closely scrutinize long-held beliefs about what we do and why.? Sometimes the outside world changes, and not paying attention will leave agencies at odds with communities and cloud vision and purpose.?
In the ever-evolving landscape of law enforcement, it is imperative for agencies to engage in rigorous self-assessment to ensure their operations align with community needs, evolving priorities, and efficient resource allocation. Organizational reviews, particularly those focused on the establishment of priorities, workload analysis, and return on investment (ROI) assessment, are pivotal tools for law enforcement leaders to enhance public safety, improve community relations, and optimize resource allocation.
1. Setting Priorities for Effective Law Enforcement
Effective law enforcement agencies must regularly assess their priorities to align their efforts with the community's dynamic needs. The establishment of priorities impacts how officers enforce laws and how they engage with the public. Prioritization requires a deep understanding of community concerns, crime trends, and the allocation of resources for maximum impact.
Best Practice: Many agencies have a community-oriented policing approach, involving community members in setting law enforcement priorities long before it became a public buzzword. Agencies can create targeted strategies that address local concerns by fostering collaboration and engaging citizens while building trust. But these conversations must be driven by data that shows what officers are engaging in that moves the needle and drives public safety. The situation on the ground must always drive these discussions.
If it's a priority, you'll find a way. If it's not, you'll find and excuse. - Jim Rohn
2. Workload Analysis: Maximizing Officer Time and Efficiency
Workload analysis is a critical component of organizational reviews, as it assesses how officers utilize their time during duty hours. This analysis examines both obligated (directly related to crime prevention and investigation) and unobligated (non-directive) time to determine resource availability for various tasks.
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Show me where you spend your time and I'll tell you what your priorities are. - Me, talking to my kids ...
Best Practice: Utilizing modern technology such as time-tracking software and data analytics tools can provide granular insights into officer activities, enabling agencies to optimize task allocation and schedule efficiencies. This ensures that officers spend more time on high-priority activities.
3. Resource Allocation and ROI: Making Informed Decisions
Allocating resources in law enforcement involves a complex interplay of personnel, equipment, and funding. Organizational reviews enable command staff to make informed decisions based on workload analysis and prioritize tasks that yield the highest ROI in terms of public safety enhancement. Reviews provide an opportunity to make course corrections and adjustments. Don't wait until the end of your five-year plan to make a change that wasn't working in the first year.
"Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions." - Mark Twain
Best Practice: Implementing data-driven decision-making frameworks empowers command staff to allocate resources effectively. By analyzing historical data on crime rates, response times, and community feedback, agencies can channel resources where they are most needed, thereby maximizing impact.
4. Community Perception and Satisfaction
An essential aspect of organizational reviews is assessing the impact of agency actions on community satisfaction and perception of safety. Prioritizing initiatives that enhance public trust and community well-being creates a positive feedback loop, where improved community relations lead to more effective crime prevention and law enforcement efforts. Modern survey tools are making this much more efficient and relevant by providing technology that assists in sorting out the noise from the vocal minority.
Best Practice: Regularly surveying community members to gauge their safety perception and interactions with law enforcement provides actionable insights. This feedback helps agencies identify areas for improvement and build stronger community relationships.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
My recent guest on #TheCoptimizerPodcast, Neil Dubord , is an active Chief putting these principles into practice. We had a great conversation, and I would encourage any law enforcement leader who values, not just their people, but the way they do business, to have a listen. His knowledge and experience will bring great insights and ideas about how you can professionalize your agency.
But before you jump into the episode. I'll give you a little cheat in advance. Below I have listed just three reasons, but understand there are countless possibilities. This is just an excellent place to start. Enjoy!
Why Every Police Department Should Conduct Organizational Reviews