NCJ Number
147164
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1993) Pages: 147-156
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Strategic planning a tool being used increasingly by police departments in North America. This article provides a case study of the Vancouver (Canada) Police Department to illustrate how the police can gather data, at minimal cost using volunteers, to assist in the planning process.
Abstract
In 1991, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) adopted a strategic plan that emphasized a move away from traditional policing to community policing. This article defines what strategic planning is and how this strategy, which originated in the private sector, is applicable to police management. Some of the obstacles to the strategic planning process also are discussed. A case study of the VPD is presented to illustrate how the department gathered information needed for the corporate planning process. A telephone survey was developed and implemented to address one of the objectives of the Vancouver Police Corporate Strategy, which was to improve by 10 percent the public perception that the police were involved in community concerns as well as law enforcement. The questions asked in the survey are reproduced. This study shows that once a survey instrument has been developed, it can be used, at little cost by using volunteers, to provide police with information needed to decide what policies, initiatives, programs and changes are needed.