Goal 5 - Innovation

Senior volunteers are an essential part of the department's outreach to the community photo by Grand Rapids Police Department

Create an environment that encourages innovation in all aspects of our approach to policing.

The Grand Rapids Police Department hereby goes on record saying that the status quo will never be good enough. This goal challenges everyone in the department to find new ways to build upon the foundation of service excellence, whether that means investing in new technology, developing new systems, or learning new people skills. This goal also recognizes that nothing can outperform talented and imaginative people working together.

Objective 1 - Foster an atmosphere that promotes new ideas, creative thinking, and risk-taking.

• Strategy 1 - In addition to strategies on training, performance evaluation, and review of policies, practices, and procedures discussed elsewhere, personnel will be encouraged to learn about new ideas elsewhere through research, on-site visits, and new training opportunities.
  • Milestone 1: Identify priorities and determine funding required in FY2000 to finance on-site visits and other training opportunities.
  • Milestone 2: Explore additional funding to finance expanded training.

• Strategy 2 - Police managers establish a climate where employees are not afraid to fail.
  • Milestone 1: This will be supported by the new performance evaluation system discussed under Leadership goal.

Objective 2 - Research, develop, and use technology to enhance the department's ability to correct community problems.

• Strategy 1 - Launch a new management information and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. · Milestone 1: The Senior Manager in charge of the technological/informational infrastructure will serve as the department’s liaison to the City of Grand Rapids Information Technology Team, to review and update the needs of the department.
  • Milestone 2: The new Record Management System (RMS) already under development will be implemented in August 1999.
  • Milestone 3: The CAD system upgrade will be implemented in the year 2000, to coincide with the opening of the new Neighborhood Police Service Centers.

• Strategy 2 - Develop an effective and efficient field reporting system.
  • Milestone 1: Working with the other captains, the captain in charge of the technological/informational infrastructure will be responsible for completing this initiative, with the timetable contingent on identifying sufficient funding through grants and other resources.

• Strategy 3 – Identify and hire outside consultants with specific expertise in building the most effective and affordable Communications Center, to guide the department in establishing a new system and building an appropriate facility to meet long-term needs.

• Strategy 4 – Work with the Michigan Public Safety Communication System to ensure that the Grand Rapids Police Department can integrate with its new $205 million 800 Megahertz communications system.

• Strategy 5 - Explore the potential benefits, drawbacks, and costs of technological options such as in-car videotaping in patrol cars and video monitoring of traffic problems and chronic/high-risk areas. · Milestone 1: The Senior Manager in charge of the technological/informational infrastructure will conduct a five-year study, with annual reports, on the feasibility of implementing various kinds of electronic monitoring.

• Strategy 6 - Invest in providing line-level appropriate technology and the training necessary to use new systems and technology.
  • Milestone 1: Each NPSC commander will conduct an annual needs assessment and analysis and report the results to Senior Management for possible action.

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