Police Assessment

A main focus for the past year in West Valley City government has been evaluating and retooling certain aspects of our police department.  Since hiring Chief Russo at the end of last year the City Council has taken particular interest in following not only the changes and improvements to the department, but also how the police department has begun to more successfully integrate with the greater West Valley City community. Below is a summary sheet of findings and action items that the Chief discusses during his monthly community meetings:

ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT & NEEDS

FINDING: A SOLID FOUNDATION EXISTS BUT IMPROVEMENTS ARE REQUIRED

Action:

• Ensure responsible and appropriate polices; update where necessary.
• Implement administrative accountability and enforce when required.
• Develop an environment of operational focus, alignment, and follow –thru.
• Build, implement, and monitor effort with strategic view.

 

FINDING: DEPARTMENTAL STRENGTH AND EXCELLENCE

Action:

• Competence and motivated staff.
• Empowerment and engagement within.
• Look for opportunities to recognize and reward successes.

 

FINDING: ORGANIZATIONAL REALIGNMENT AND STRUCTURAL REFORM

Action:

• Look for opportunities to improve efficiencies and effectiveness.
• Align resources and effort.
   

FINDING: NEED FOR NEW LEADERSHIP AND MORE EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION

Action:

• Establish and follow a progressive vision and clear mission
• Establish accountability at all levels
• Leadership Development
• Command Support

 

FINDING: BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND THE DISCIPLINE PROCESS

Action:

• Consistency
• Fairness
• Timeliness
• Disciplinary Matrix
• Standardize case investigation and documentation
• Thoroughness
• Openness
• Impartiality
• Case assessment and assignment

 

 

FINDING: LEADERSHIP NEEDED IN INVESTIGATIONS

Action:

• Accountability
• Inspection
• Coordination and Liaison
• Assessments, follow up, and closure.

FINDING: PUBLIC IMAGE, CONFIDENCE & TRUST

Action:

• Proactive and positive media engagement
• Openness
• Recruiting
• Public Accountability

• Responsiveness to community concerns/problems
• Building Trust & Confidence – Internal & External

FINDING: CHALLENGES IN NARCOTIC INVESTIGATIONS

Action:

• Accountability
• Integrity
• Supervisory guidance
• Inspection
• Operational tactics and guidelines

FINDING: INTELLIGENCE-LED POLICING

Action:

• Intelligence Development and reporting
• COMPSTAT
• Action Assessment and feedback

FINDING: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES NEED IMPROVEMENT

Action:

• CALEA Commitment

Neighborhood City Meet Ups

West Valley Councilmembers to meet with neighbors at Neighborhood Meetups

 

I had a very enjoyable Saturday morning visiting with residents at Hillsdale park.  This was the first of four scheduled meetings where residents can come in a relaxed atmosphere and converse with their elected representatives about what's going on in their neighborhood.  It is good to gain a solid perspective from many residents as we continue to take strides in economic and neighborhood development as well as work to bring about changes and improvements within our police department.  In the photo I am seen discussing the effectiveness and yet limitations of the graffiti wipes.

 Everyone is invited to attend and visit with City Council Members and City Staff.

In an effort to stay connected with residents and to share information about various City services, the West Valley City Council and the West Valley City Public Relations & Neighborhood Services Office will be hitting the road and setting up shop in four community parks this summer. The first stop was at Hillsdale Park in City Council District 1.

From 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., residents can meet with City staff, chat with elected officials and enjoy light refreshments and kids activities. Additionally, information about more than 20 City programs and services will be available for residents, and those interested in participating on City boards and committees can learn more and pick up application forms.

Neighborhood Meetups will take place each month through August as the staff visits each of the four City Council Districts:

• District 2: June 8, Fairbourne Station Promenade, 2905 W. Lehman Ave. (3590 S.)
• District 3: July 13, Centennial Park (near the west pavilion), 5415 W. 3100 S.
• District 4: August 10, West View Park, 4100 S. 6000 W.

 

The West Valley Journal did a feature story on the meetups here:

http://www.mywestvalleyjournal.com/pages/full_story/14531/City-leaders-to-meet-residents-where-they-live/

Representing WVC

Last week I was able to represent West Valley City at the National League of Cities Congress of Cities which was held this year in Denver Colorado. I was pleased at the progress and the input that I was able to provide with my first tier suburbs steering committee. We successfully focused on Economic Development and provided many important solutions and programs. I reported on the Congress in this weeks City Council in both an oral and written report. Below is a copy of the written report given to my colleagues on he City Council:

Councilmember Rushton
Council Report

December 7, 2010

Congress of Cities NLC Conference

Summary

From December 1-4 I attended and represented West Valley City at the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Denver, Colorado. The conference offered sessions and workshops to learn and share innovative ideas and solutions for their city’s economic development, infrastructure, sustainability and public safety needs. The conference major speakers and presenters included a Senator Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and a Business executive focused on sustainable development. I attended the conference at the Convention Center beginning Wednesday and concluded Saturday. During that time I not only attended general sessions and workshops, but also participated in mobile tours of the Denver regions transit oriented developments. Additionally, the steering committee I was appointed to was able to meet twice to discuss issues and set priorities for next year. Finally it was a good opportunity to attend briefing lunches and associate with many companies and colleagues with West Valley City connections. I gathered materials on numerous best practice solutions and innovations in order to share them with executive staff for informational purposes.

some of the highlights with local interest:

1. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Harvard University political scientist Robert D. Putnam discussed steps that governments can take to form successful relationships between immigrants and their new communities.

2. Spoke with representatives from the Justice Department about participation in the COPS program. Met with Utah regional representative from Health & Human Services about the Get Moving program and WVC trail system.

3. Other delegates from Utah cities gathered for a caucus dinner with representatives from the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

Action Items:

A. Form a staff committee to explore the costs/benefits of launching a WVC app for smartphones. Should also address if solely informational or interactive.

B. Council to formally charge Councilmember Christensen to be liaison with NLC Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration

C. Coordinate formal introduction of WVC staff with Englewood Colorado staff to collaborate on City Center TOD.

Additionally the City released the followed communication to media outlets concerning the Congress:

West Valley City Council Members Attend National Conference

Focusing on New Ideas and Solutions for Cities
West Valley City – West Valley City Council Members Don Christensen and Corey Rushton
recently joined thousands of fellow leaders from across the country for the 2010 National
League of Cities’ (NLC) annual Congress of Cities and Exposition in Denver, Colorado. The conference offered sessions and workshops to learn and share innovative ideas and solutions
for their city’s economic development, infrastructure, sustainability and public safety needs.
More than 2,000 municipal officials heard from nationally-known experts such as L. Hunter Lovins, president and founder of Natural Capitalism. Lovins spoke with delegates about tools and strategies to create more sustainable local governments. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Harvard University political scientist Robert D. Putnam discussed steps that governments can take to form successful relationships between immigrants and their new communities.
Additionally, former US Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) offered his perspective on the current
political climate in Washington, DC, in the wake of the mid-term elections. Department of
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed health and wellness and brought video greetings
from First Lady Michelle Obama.
"The Congress was a great opportunity to represent West Valley City on a national scale and observe innovations that will enhance our local community," says Council Member Corey
Rushton.
Each year at the Congress of Cities, local officials make connections and learn about
resources to help move their communities forward. Delegates meet with thousands of peers and colleagues from around the country to discover cost-saving programs, products and
services; replicate effective programs and create innovative solutions to their community’s
most pressing challenges.

Be Counted

Today is the deadline day for returning your census form and I just want to emphasize how important it is to our community that we get everyone counted in a complete census count. Census data is used in determining elected representation, roads, schools, libraries, hospitals, grants, emergency personnel, and many more important community staples. The census data by law is also kept private and cannot be usd by another government agency. If you have not taken the few minutes required to answer the ten census question please do so today.

Here is a Deseret News article regarding this very topic:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700024515/Deadline-for-census-response-is-Friday.html