A role for a police advisory committee
Some of the most interesting responses from Brea police to recommendations made by an independent consultant hired by Yorba Linda to examine law enforcement service provided by Brea deal with a proposed Community Policing Advisory Committee.
The advisory committee is the subject of five of 47 recommendations Anderson and Associates, a firm experienced in analyzing police operations, presented at a Jan. 19 council meeting. Brea police Capt. Jack Conklin responded at the May 18 session.
Yorba Linda first signed a contract with Brea in 1970, replacing an agreement with the county sheriff. Deputies also policed the area prior to cityhood in 1967 and still handle Country Club and Fairlynn county island calls.
Police services now cost about $11 million each year, 38 percent of the city’s budget, so implementing fiscally sound recommendations is important. The current pact with Brea expires in 2012.
A community advisory committee of key stakeholders to provide input on enhancing police services “has merit,” according to Conklin, who said the group “should remain advisory in nature” and report to the City Council.
But, Conklin advised, the committee should “be activated whenever a contract renewal is being considered by the city,” which, based on past practice, is once every five years.
And, Conklin stated, “The mission of this group must be very clear. They should not consider themselves a police commission that makes policy, but rather conducts research, provides perspective and makes suggestions.”
Conklin did agree the committee should “represent as many of the city’s stakeholders as possible as to best periodically examine public safety issues….”
The Anderson report recommended the group include representatives from Brea police, the Chamber of Commerce, the faith community, community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations and “key Yorba Linda city officials.”
Among “key” city officials suggested for membership: City Council, Traffic Commission, management, code enforcement, fire district, public works and planning.
Conklin viewed other Anderson recommendations as unneeded. He stated the group’s duty should be to “make suggestions, not develop policies, procedures or vision statements. It is the responsibility of the police department, as the subject matter experts, to develop these items after receiving the committee’s suggestions.”
According to the Anderson report, the committee “needs to meet periodically to discuss and acknowledge where successes are occurring and where more progress needs to be made” and “should make periodic reports…regarding the progress being made….”
Conklin’s response: “unnecessary, since the advisory committee’s role is to provide input and suggestions, not to monitor the police department’s progress or make reports analyzing whether the department is accomplishing our stated goals.”
The advisory committee is the subject of five of 47 recommendations Anderson and Associates, a firm experienced in analyzing police operations, presented at a Jan. 19 council meeting. Brea police Capt. Jack Conklin responded at the May 18 session.
Yorba Linda first signed a contract with Brea in 1970, replacing an agreement with the county sheriff. Deputies also policed the area prior to cityhood in 1967 and still handle Country Club and Fairlynn county island calls.
Police services now cost about $11 million each year, 38 percent of the city’s budget, so implementing fiscally sound recommendations is important. The current pact with Brea expires in 2012.
A community advisory committee of key stakeholders to provide input on enhancing police services “has merit,” according to Conklin, who said the group “should remain advisory in nature” and report to the City Council.
But, Conklin advised, the committee should “be activated whenever a contract renewal is being considered by the city,” which, based on past practice, is once every five years.
And, Conklin stated, “The mission of this group must be very clear. They should not consider themselves a police commission that makes policy, but rather conducts research, provides perspective and makes suggestions.”
Conklin did agree the committee should “represent as many of the city’s stakeholders as possible as to best periodically examine public safety issues….”
The Anderson report recommended the group include representatives from Brea police, the Chamber of Commerce, the faith community, community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations and “key Yorba Linda city officials.”
Among “key” city officials suggested for membership: City Council, Traffic Commission, management, code enforcement, fire district, public works and planning.
Conklin viewed other Anderson recommendations as unneeded. He stated the group’s duty should be to “make suggestions, not develop policies, procedures or vision statements. It is the responsibility of the police department, as the subject matter experts, to develop these items after receiving the committee’s suggestions.”
According to the Anderson report, the committee “needs to meet periodically to discuss and acknowledge where successes are occurring and where more progress needs to be made” and “should make periodic reports…regarding the progress being made….”
Conklin’s response: “unnecessary, since the advisory committee’s role is to provide input and suggestions, not to monitor the police department’s progress or make reports analyzing whether the department is accomplishing our stated goals.”
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
<< Home