Positive Changes

This is intended for positive comments....

When the new Chief gets in, what would YOU recommend as the top 3 priorities with regard to positive change?

[Jacobsen]

(In no particular order and with the consideration that money is TIGHT!)
(These were hard to think of because compared to other agencies, PGPD does have more greener pastures - despite the drought - :lol: )

1. An unwritten policy of providing the BEST communication from the top of the chain to the officers in the field. In the military, an order is given and it is followed without question and no reason is expected. It is in the troop’s best interest to carry out the order because even if they don't like it, they can't up and leave until their contract is fulfilled. In law enforcement, miscommunication or a lack of communication leads to officers becoming anti-administration and eventually seeking employment elsewhere. Officers still need to follow orders (policy changes), but for their piece of mind and reasoning abilities they also need to know the reason behind the change. They may not like it, but they'll understand it.

2. More incentive (not particularly monetary) to become an FTO and/or MPO. This will breed fiercer competition, thus producing more motivated officers, and will result in more knowledgeable officers. Maybe something like - Those who pass the Sergeant's Exam will be sent to the next line supervision class (or will be sent within 1 year). Instead of waiting until after, sometimes well after the officer has supervised and made unnecessary mistakes. With regard to FTO incentive - Actual specialized team training days (like Dive or Honor Guard), and/or one hour of comp. time added to the bank per 12 hour shift with a trainee (14 shifts a month with a trainee = 14 hours of time off at no monetary cost to the city). The incentives are almost limitless, but they provide something to strive for. In this small agency, officers must not begin to feel “stagnant.” They must continue be able to learn, grow, and evolve (even if it is in little increments).

3. Empowering the Sergeant's (all 7 of them) to take TRUE ownership of and in their squads/sections. I will not elaborate on this one. It will mean something different to each person that reads it, but everyone will understand it.

To all those that claim nobody listens to you. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR IDEAS TO BE HEARD! (Even if you post as a guest, BE HEARD)!

ADDED TO POST:
(I guess with the 30th post, the forum bestows a new rank - kind of ironic.)

[Jacobsen]

A week and a half with only one reply on this topic.

Could this be considered an ABILENE PARADOX?

An Abilene Paradox begins innocently, with everyone in a group agreeing that a particular problem exists. Later, when it comes time to discuss solutions, no one expresses a viewpoint that differs from what appears to be the group's consensus, even though many secretly disagree with it. Finally, after the solution has been implemented, group members complain privately about the plan and look for someone to blame for its development.

A week and a half with only one reply on this topic.

Could this be considered an ABILENE PARADOX?

An Abilene Paradox begins innocently, with everyone in a group agreeing that a particular problem exists. Later, when it comes time to discuss solutions, no one expresses a viewpoint that differs from what appears to be the group's consensus, even though many secretly disagree with it. Finally, after the solution has been implemented, group members complain privately about the plan and look for someone to blame for its development.

This is intriguing. Cite your source.

[Jacobsen]

Management and Supervison in Law Enforcement, 4th Edition, 2004, Wayne W. Bennett, LL.B. & Karen M. Hess, Ph.D. (p113)

Author Jerry Harvey coined the expression in the 1950's.

First, a re-evaluation of weapon systems, to include tasers.

(In no particular order and with the consideration that money is TIGHT!)
(These were hard to think of because compared to other agencies, PGPD does have more greener pastures - despite the drought - :lol: )

1. An unwritten policy of providing the BEST communication from the top of the chain to the officers in the field. In the military, an order is given and it is followed without question and no reason is expected. It is in the troop’s best interest to carry out the order because even if they don't like it, they can't up and leave until their contract is fulfilled. In law enforcement, miscommunication or a lack of communication leads to officers becoming anti-administration and eventually seeking employment elsewhere. Officers still need to follow orders (policy changes), but for their piece of mind and reasoning abilities they also need to know the reason behind the change. They may not like it, but they'll understand it.

2. More incentive (not particularly monetary) to become an FTO and/or MPO. This will breed fiercer competition, thus producing more motivated officers, and will result in more knowledgeable officers. Maybe something like - Those who pass the Sergeant's Exam will be sent to the next line supervision class (or will be sent within 1 year). Instead of waiting until after, sometimes well after the officer has supervised and made unnecessary mistakes. With regard to FTO incentive - Actual specialized team training days (like Dive or Honor Guard), and/or one hour of comp. time added to the bank per 12 hour shift with a trainee (14 shifts a month with a trainee = 14 hours of time off at no monetary cost to the city). The incentives are almost limitless, but they provide something to strive for. In this small agency, officers must not begin to feel “stagnant.” They must continue be able to learn, grow, and evolve (even if it is in little increments).

3. Empowering the Sergeant's (all 7 of them) to take TRUE ownership of and in their squads/sections. I will not elaborate on this one. It will mean something different to each person that reads it, but everyone will understand it.

To all those that claim nobody listens to you. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR IDEAS TO BE HEARD! (Even if you post as a guest, BE HEARD)!

ADDED TO POST:
(I guess with the 30th post, the forum bestows a new rank - kind of

ironic.)

put Jacobsen back on lite duty. He's board

[Jacobsen]

I resent being called a piece of wood ("board").

Jacobsen was on light duty during that first post. Now he is really bored. And why is Jacobsen posting in the 3rd person? These are the things we ponder daily!