NCJ Number
182984
Journal
Gazette Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Dated: 2000 Pages: 26-30
Date Published
2000
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the re-engineering of a Canadian regional police organization.
Abstract
The Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police transformed their culture from one that was traditional, command and control, and policy driven to one that is strategic, value based and community driven. The transformation was based on the premise that quality of life is a shared responsibility for the police, the community and elected officials. The article describes the police service’s former organizational culture, the change process, outcomes and the future of the service. Operational outcomes of the re-engineering include a drop in citizen complaints and a continuing downward trend in violent and property crime. Administrative outcomes include cost savings, heightened employee job satisfaction and professional recognition of the department’s activities in victim services and business planning. As part of their continuing effort to be the “best progressive police service in the nation,” the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police are planning to re-engineer the patrol function and to deploy closed circuit television in high-crime areas to improve citizen safety while containing costs. References