Diedrich: Effective communication key to improving police department

Fixing the public perception and management accountability issues within the Maricopa Police Department will require creating consistency, expediency and improved communication.

As mayor I will ask the city manager, with council approval, to review every administrative policy and ensure they are consistent across all departments and management levels. I believe this would be best done with a cross-disciplined team of executive, management and non-management personnel, city council members, city attorney representatives, labor organization members and appropriately experienced residents.

The city has already put in motion an audit to evaluate the department. Once the audit is complete, the next step should be to set baseline expectations for every member of the department staff and do so for every level of management. It is essential to involve team members in these discussions. It is crucial that the level of expectation is at the correct level for the needs of the city of Maricopa and not based on the needs of any other entity or community.

Once expectations are set, they must be communicated effectively to all stakeholders, both internal and external. The best way to hold the department and management accountable is to make sure everyone knows exactly what they are expected to do and be consistent in enforcing appropriate discipline if the expectations are not met. If expectations are not being met, there should be no hesitation in making changes at any level.