This article is to assist a chief or sheriff with the transition of a newly elected councilperson (or supervisor, commissioner or whatever your local government calls them). They need to understand some of the procedures of working with your police or sheriff’s department. Yearly, governmental support associations conduct training for newly elected officials. They also recommend that even the seasoned officials attend for a refresher occasionally. What the actual attendance or overall completion rates are unknown. However, every year a freshly elected council member will have law enforcement operational questions and now some of their questions may be answered.
Offer the Tour
Nationwide, there is an additional annual invitation sent out by all chiefs of police and sheriffs to their elected officials. Whether they are seasoned veterans of the dais or freshly elected, they receive the invitation and sadly most do not attend. Every chief and sheriff has the ‘Five Dollar Tour’ and ride-alongs poised and the coveted behind the scenes tour ready and there are few takers. Then, during a councilperson’s tenure, some question will arise which could have answered if they would have taken the tour. Several agencies invite the councilmembers to their civilian police academies or interdepartmental training for their volunteers. I want you to avoid the worse scenario of a councilmember’s lack of knowledge or indifference resulting in their making a poor decision in the future. Without understanding of the police process, one could easily stymie or prevent budget requests for needed personnel or equipment.
Know the Basics
We are not asking them to understand the full operational aspects, but just the basics will go a long way in their elected career. Something as basic as what kind of police department does your municipality have will be helpful. Does this department cover just your municipality? Is it a full-time department or is it a part-time department with supplemental coverage from the State Police? If it is a part-time agency, is there a mutual aid agreement with an adjoining agency for vacancy coverage? Is this a full-service department? Does this department have to contract out for traffic investigations or criminal investigations? Be sure to explain the countywide support of emergency dispatch, supplemental investigation from the County District Attorney’s or State Prosecutors office. The important take-aways here is to know the basic operational model and who is responsible for what services.
If your municipality contracts with another municipality or agency that provides police services, who are they? Whom would they contact if they had a question? Just how much of a voice would they have in requesting additional services, without budgetary repercussions? If the department is a participant in a regional police department, there are variations regarding levels of service along with different billing schemes to understand. If you are in a regional department who is your legal representative on their board? How long is the existing contract? They need to understand when your contract for services ends and who represents the negotiation teams are points to consider.
Questions answered!
Chief, why can’t you hire my unemployed nephew? It would be beneficial for you to explain hiring practices, civil service laws and like state rules.
Chief, is this a union or right to work state? There is always a candidate running on the platform of abolishing the police and fire unions and their protections. This requires understanding before they attempt this maneuver. If you have unions or even ‘meet and confer’ status, have your labor attorney available to explain the lay of the employment land.
Chief, can you check up on my shady neighbor? No, we cannot perform ‘secret investigations’ on your neighbor nor perform background checks for your businesses. This form of question comes up all of the time! Police departments are in the criminal investigations and public/traffic safety business; we are not private investigators and have strict legal boundaries that we must operate within legal limits. We cannot run tag numbers either. This is restricted information for police use only and not considered open source material.
Sheriff, can I have a key to your department? No, you cannot have a key to the department. A police department is a limited access area and within it, there are restricted areas. There have been chiefs who have experienced councilmembers wanting unfettered access to the police department. The integrity and security on sensitive files, evidence and ongoing investigations demand departmental security. Granted this is municipal property and asset but neither are you allowed to go into the water treatment plant and turn the knobs on the water treatment process either.
For the newly elected ….Build a Rapport
A hint to an elected official, if the chief of police offers you a tour of the police department, take it! When there are public events or tours of the police department, join in, blend in and listen as a citizen. Listen public (adult and kids) presentations by the police on their operations. Schedule a chat with the chief or sheriff as a new councilperson with your concerns and your constituents concerns. What should you know about the state of the police department and how can you learn? Read the annual reports and all crime/Compstat reports produced by the department. Not all of the information that shared is for full public disclosure. Always ask about anything stamped For Official Use Only (FOUO).
Be sure to ask of your chief/sheriff on how complaints and compliments are handled. A councilmember will receive both. Compliments are easy but extremely important to the lifeblood of the department. Officers thrive on compliments and departments track positive feedbacks. Complaints must be conducted within the proper format as agreed in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and with proper police practices. Should a councilmember receive either a complaint or compliment, they need to learn the proper referral method that is preferred by the department.
Finally, police departments are the most recognized extension or advertisement of any municipality. Nobody actually sees what goes on behind the scenes at water, sewer or human resources. Your customer base (citizens, businesses and tourists) sees the marked patrol car or that officer in uniform daily. Often a police experience will equate how they positively or negatively your customers will view a location. Both sides of this situation want this municipality to be the location that all want to live, work, and play in. Not the location where most want to avoid or move from. The understanding of how the law enforcement function operates and handles its day-to-day business is a key for your becoming a successful councilmember and chief.
William L. Harvey | Chief
William L. "Bill" Harvey is a U.S. Army Military Police Corps veteran. He has a BA in criminology from St. Leo University and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute of the University of Louisville (103rd AOC). Harvey served for over 23 years with the Savannah (GA) Police Department in field operations, investigations and completed his career as the director of training. Served as the chief of police of the Lebanon City Police Dept (PA) for over seven years and then ten years as Chief of Police for the Ephrata Police Dept (PA). In retirement he continues to publish for professional periodicals and train.
