Study finds MPD needs focus on respect and integrity

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According to a newly-released cultural audit of the Maricopa Police Department, department leaders need to focus on demonstrating integrity and respect to improve the MPD work environment.

“I think the findings of this cultural assessment show we are a young department that is still working to establish its culture,” said Maricopa Police Chief Kirk Fitch.

In addition to emphasizing integrity and respect, the report suggests the department should provide more leadership and field officer training, improve intra-department communication and practice consistency, fairness, accountability and transparency in the decision making process.

The firm of BL Management Consulting LLC was hired in June to complete the cultural audit. Results were provided to the city council in October and made public last week.

To compile the cultural analysis, the firm conducted 12 focus groups with MPD employees between July 9 and July 29. The groups were selected at random and asked questions about how business is conducted in the police department.

The city manager, assistant city manager, police chief and police department internal affairs detective were interviewed individually.

According to BL Management Director Elizabeth Harwood, the assessment was not designed to study or audit aspects of law enforcement within the department or the city.

Key positive themes that came out of the survey were that employees love police work, seek success for their organization, are committed to serving the community, embrace the opportunity to work for a young department and want a unique culture to emerge in the department.

Now that the cultural report is complete, four action teams in the department are working to address the cultural issues.

These groups will meet between now and Feb. 3, 2011 with the intent of modifying the department’s mission and value statements, updating organizational practices and procedures, identifying communication strategies and developing a list of competencies to serve as a standard for department leaders.

“We are determined to work together to continually improve the Maricopa Police Department,” Fitch said.

To view the entire cultural audit read below:

 

MPD Culture Final Nov23 _2