I. Strengthen Community Partnerships
To develop and sustain strong community partnerships, the members of the Police Department and the citizens of this community must build relationships built on mutual respect, understanding and trust. The community must have confidence both in the process of law enforcement and in the people who are sworn to administer it fairly and judiciously. The community is encouraged and empowered to identify neighborhood problems, speak out on issues of concern, and help to shape the delivery of police services. The Police Department will strive to provide real solutions to problems of crime and public safety in the community while continuously seeking substantive feedback from the community regarding the quality and methods of police service delivery.
II. Enhance Community-Based Police Services
To the extent possible, police services will be based in the community and will be delivered by Police Department professionals who have an intimate knowledge of the people, neighborhoods and cultures of that community. The Police Department will provide citizens easy access to the people and services of the Police Department and responsiveness to community issues while preserving, where justified, the economies and efficiencies of centralization, which are sometimes necessary for highly specialized and complex services.
III. Promote Responsibility and Accountability
The Police Department exists to fulfill the responsibilities of law enforcement by using the authority and resources vested to it by the community. The Department is accountable to the community for the efficient and effective use of those resources, and the fair, impartial and judicious exercise of that authority. The Department will achieve this goal through management practices which place responsibility and accountability, both individual and team, at the core of our organizational culture.
IV. Maximize Our Human Resources
At the heart of every success is a dedicated and motivated person whose courage, resourcefulness and creativity have made the difference. The Police Department will seek and hire such individuals, give them the best possible training throughout their career, empower them to make a real difference in their community, provide them with the tools necessary to succeed, and reward and recognize their accomplishments.
V. Harness Proven Technology
The Police Department must harness and be proficient with modern technology; it is an integral part of our society and the most powerful tool available to law enforcement in the fight against crime. The Department will aggressively seek to obtain practical and proven technology at an affordable price, then use it effectively to reduce crime and support police services to the community.
