Department Management Dear City Council

Department Management

Dear City Council President,

As with all departments of the City of Lowell, the minimum 10% reduction from the previous year's budget will force: difficult choices and tough decisions to accommodate the city council's recommended cuts. In case of the police department, we will work as diligently as possible areas to provide the same great services to the community as in the past (even with a 10% budget reduction). as, less staff (both in administration as well as police officers) indicates more responsibility of work. Where, only mandatory training is approved and additional cost-cutting will be detailed further in this memo.

The Lowell Police Department understands the severity of the budget and that this is only one of many departments in with the city government. As all of them share the same responsibility to balance a budget collectively, which is forecasted to be $5 million less compared to last year. A meticulous examination of each line item of the budget from numerous drafts was conducted by: the administration, police officers, and the finance department. In conjunction with the internal inspection procedures, we also examined other law enforcement agencies that were similar in size as the Lowell Police Department. The basic strategy was to look for: additional ideas and unique approaches in cutting the budget.

Along with the police department, all supervisors and managers for the City of Lowell met to brainstorm how resources could be better utilized. While I present the Lowell Police Department budget, in truth, this budget is a culmination of all the city's efforts.

This budget is not a sole statement for the Lowell Police Department, but it is an intricate portion of the city's overall finances. This collaboration provides: stronger services to residents and it gives a financial plan (created by government officials) to the general public. As a result, the constraints of listless spending are over. The responsibility of tax dollars is an accepted burden and an opportunity to: showcase how the government is working for the people (regardless of what is taking place in the economy). After scrupulous consideration and unpleasant choices, I present the Lowell Police Department's budget strategies for 2011.

Possible Challenges

As is customary in presentations, the bad news of the budget cuts and its impact will be covered first. Unfortunately, layoffs are imminent. To cover the gap of funds, an equal portion of police officers and administration will be released. A total of: 26 police officers, 18 administration and civilian positions are projected to be cut. This will be implemented as a uniform release of: the overall cuts required in the department's budget.

Layoffs were the toughest decision that was made. This decrease in staffing will amount to longer wait times for residents as well as city departments. (Goldstein 2011) Whether in the administration or staff (out on the street), we will work as studiously as possible to respond in timely manner to: any event, processing request, or other duty performed.

Before any pink slips are handed-out, employees who have been with the police department and are close to retirement will be offered, an incentive to retire with 10% of their annual salary. This will be given in one lump if they decide to accept the proposal. If enough civilians or sworn staff decides to accept the incentive, the layoffs will be at a minimum for the police department. The salaries of those retiring will diminish the overall budget line item expenses for wages by: 10% and not their entire annual salary being disbursed for the year. This incentive does have its downfalls. as, some experts have highlighted that highly-qualified staff will be lost. While the Lowell Police Department prides itself on the quality of its personnel, those near retirement are: mentors for new and mid-range employees. The collective knowledge from those nearing retirement is a tremendous asset to the department that will be sorely missed. This can be problematic, because it means that the overall levels of professionalism will decline.

Possible Solutions

Several ideas were suggested to: alleviate the layoffs and subsidize the smaller police department workforce. One concept suggested in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin by Zach Friend M.F.F. And Rick Martinez is to: capitalize on the community to assist with the services of the police department (2010). The reinvigoration of the Neighborhood Watch program empowers residents to become mindful of their community which: generates appreciation and a sense of wanting to help maintain safety (even if residents are not being compensated in the endeavor). At the same time, this program opens up a means of communication between: the police department and citizens (Rettig 2010). Where, a relationship is established and trust is generated when the public becomes more involved. When citizens are aware of the procedures and the services of the police department, they are more likely to support the actions of law enforcement. Also the police department is more privy to the perceptions and concerns of the public. This relationship becomes symbiotic and assessed by both parties, as positive benefit for the community (Friend and Martinez 2010).

Along with encouraging the public to take an active role in their community to: assist in ensuring safety and well-being, other City of Lowell departments are also working with the police. For example, when city employees are out and about on their prescribed duties they are watchful of suspicious activity. If they are out in the community, they are fulfilling their departmental duties as well as compensating for the loss of manpower from: the police department. At the same time, various agencies will no longer be segregated these include: parks / recreation, roads / bridges and fleet / transportation. This will help to reduce the total negative impacts on the budget, while ensuring that there is a way to improve the services that are being provided.

In line with the other departments assisting one another, we will also offer any support we can as a part our daily duties. For example, if an officer is heading in the direction of where a part needs to be taken for the fleet department, they will deliver it. The basic idea is to help improve the services that are being provided. This can do attitude will help to: increase community relations and it will reduce the overall amounts of wasteful spending.

Even with the need to lay off staff, many employees were able to: be salvaged and transferred elsewhere. This is accomplished by sharing select employees among various agencies. For example, in many circumstances two employees might have been released. With this concept, an employee will work in a variety of different departments, which will help to save at least one job. as, the shared employees provide: administrative or any other specific responsibilities of work for a variety of agencies. Their salary is distributed through several departments divvying up the expenses for the shared employee. This is important, because it will ensure that there is proper administrative support while reducing the costs.

A diligent review of the past police department budget has provided additional areas for: possible costs reductions (Brock 2010). At the heart of the issue, is the realistic possibility that fuel prices could rise significantly during the year. This because vehicles are: a tool that police officers utilize to conduct patrols. as, fuel usage will invariably stay at the same levels as last year (John 2010). The reason why is: the layoffs and retirements will reduce demand for this product.

Also to compensate for rising fuel prices, police officers will be required to turn their engines, rather than allowing them to idle (in an effort to use less fuel). This action will decrease the response time of police officers. Because, they will first have to turn on: the vehicle and then drive. When the engine is idling, the police officer only needs to put the car in gear to respond. All city departments have agreed to direct employees to turn vehicles off when they are working on behalf of the city. Another option that could help to reduce fuel costs is to have certain officers conduct patrols in areas on foot or bicycle. This is will help to lower fuel costs, while ensuring that that there are adequate patrols throughout the community.

The City of Lowell departments are also maximizing the amount of products that can be bought in bulk. Fuel is one of the many resources where different agencies will join together to: make bulk purchases and take advantage of lower costs. Other items the departments are looking to bid out (in a cooperative effort to save money) are: stationary / paper products, uniforms (if they are not required to be manufactured for particular employees), toiletries, conference room furnishings, and any items that more than one department uses.

With numerous cuts mentioned, there is a possibility of acquiring some funds into the budget. Friend and Martinez indicates in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin that the U.S. Department of Justice awards grants through: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These are federal stimulus funds for policing programs that are community oriented. As these programs has already awarded $1 billion in ARRA funds. (2010).