This article describes the use of process mapping by the Lakewood Police Department for the analysis of its response to domestic violence incidents.
In 1995, Motorola, Inc. approached the Lakewood Police Department about using a process mapping program that had helped Motorola improve its overall performance. Process mapping visually depicts how information flows through an organization; the end result is a series of flowcharts or maps that show the flow of information and identify barriers or breakdowns in the system. The program then presents additional flowcharts identifying how information should flow within the organization for maximum efficiency. The Lakewood Police Department utilized the process mapping program to better understand and improve its response to domestic violence. Following the success of the program in streamlining its domestic violence response, Lakewood expanded the use of process mapping for sex offender registration, burglary, and its juvenile assessment center. Contact information is presented to learn more about the Lakewood Police Department’s program for domestic violence.