PROJECT BACKGROUND
The City has contracted with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a nonprofit organization providing law enforcement research and management assistance, to conduct the Organizational Assessment. This project, launched in August 2007, is expected to last approximately two years.
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PROJECT APPROACH
Methodology
The Organizational Assessment will use independent, fact-based analysis and consensus-building strategies to: 1) assess the SFPD as it currently exists; 2) identify gaps between the Department’s strategic vision and its current operations; and 3) make recommendations for organizational and programmatic improvement. This project will include two phases:
Phase 1 – Organizational & Strategic Review
Phase One of the Organizational Assessment will involve reviewing critical SFPD departmental issues, comparing the Department’s practices with industry standards, and meeting with stakeholders to collectively build a strategic “blueprint” for the Department’s future. This phase will include analysis and recommendations with regards to the following topics:
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SFPD departmental vision
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Organizational structure
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Staffing
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Recruitment, retention, training and human resource systems
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Use of force
Phase 2 – Implementation
Together with input from the San Francisco community, the Project Team will develop an early action plan for implementing high-priority initiatives. PERF also will develop a long-term plan to guide the City through the implementation of all recommendations that result from this Organizational Assessment.
In addition to the participation of the general community, a number of groups and individuals will assist the Project Team with the Organizational Assessment on an ongoing basis.
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The Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco Police Commission, Board of Supervisors, the Controller’s Office and the Mayor’s Office will guide the project’s direction, review recommendations and deliverables, and ensure that the project remains on task and on schedule
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The Strategic Review Committee comprised of stakeholders representing San Francisco’s diverse community will serve in a consultative capacity to provide feedback to the Project Team
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The Project Team comprised of staff from the San Francisco Police Department and the Controller’s Office will serve in a management capacity, conducting assessments, providing technical assistance to the SFPD and facilitating the completion of project tasks
Timeline
Significant dates:
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Summer 2007
Project Kickoff
Fall 2007
Stakeholder Input Process
Winter 2007
Finalize Project Plan
Review Vision, Mission, and Goals of the SFPD
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Spring/Summer 2008
Staffing Analysis Interim Report
Organizational Structure Interim Report
Begin Implementation of Early Action Items
Recruitment, Retention, Training and Human Resource Systems Interim Report
Department Use of Force and Early Intervention System Implementation Review Interim Report
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Fall 2008
Final Organizational Assessment Report
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Fall 2008 - Summer 2009
Implementation of Recommendations
RESULTS
The Organizational Assessment shall examine and answer the following questions:
1. Do the SFPD vision and goals reflect the community’s needs?
2. Does the SFPD have the appropriate organizational structure to meet the vision and goals of the Department?
3. Is staffing appropriate to meet the goals of the Department and the City? If not, how may staffing practices be improved to meet the needs of the community? What is the Department’s optimal staffing?
4. Do human resources systems and initiatives encourage recruitment and retention? Do these systems provide the proper training for the development of personnel or promote the best qualified members of the SFPD? Is an appropriate and effective career development system in place? If not, how may these practices and initiatives be improved, or what initiatives should be implemented?
5. Do policies on use of force align with the mission, vision, and values of the SFPD, the values and needs of the community, and established guidelines? Are Use of Force Policies implemented properly? If not, how may the policies be improved and how may they be better implemented in light of promising law enforcement practices? As the SFPD is developing a new Early Intervention System (EIS), what would be the most appropriate intervention types given the San Francisco context?
The answers to these questions will be incorporated into the recommendations of the Organizational Assessment Report to be submitted to the Police Commission in the fall of 2008 and will guide the implementation process.
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