Scottsdale Police Department Strategic Plan Evaluation Essay
The importance of a strategic plan in any organization is to predict the future and give a clear layout of the project’s results in action. A proper strategy always assists an organization in marking its priorities, a good foundation for finding remedies, and deciding on appropriate steps in the best interests of an organization or agency. The Scottsdale Police department made public its strategic plan which spans three years. In this strategic plan, significant issues of interest being addressed are; improving a good connection with the community, boosting the department’s effectiveness, empowering and motivating the workforce, and ensuring community policing is useful. This paper shall, therefore, discuss the aspects mentioned earlier of the Scottsdale Police Department Strategic plan exhaustively.
Components of the SWOT Analysis in the Strategic Plan
Strengths
According to the Scottsdale police department strategic plan, Scottsdale is a luxurious city with an estimated population of 242, 500a in 185 square miles. This city stretches 31 miles southwards. This city is reputable for its elegant and high-quality life, clean and habitable residential and working places. Scottsdale provides the best environment for business as it is internationally recognized for being a business environment. This city offers the best place to live, with the best schools with high ratings, the best winning parks, and a productive economy. Above all, a low crime rate defines the security of this City (Scottsdale Police Department, 2018, p.2). The Scottsdale Police Department is progressive and innovative in law enforcement, value processing that deals with ethical behavior, governed decision-making, commitment to community service, and diversity appreciation. Nationally, the organization has been recognized for law enforcement.
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Weaknesses
The Scottsdale police department has weaknesses that led to its resolution to convene a meeting for the creation of a three-year road map to effecting change. Such inadequacies are; poor organizational effectiveness, lack of a clear plan of connection with the community, underdeveloped employees, poor hiring, and employee well-being (Scottsdale Police Department, 2018, p.4). These weaknesses can cause an ultimate fall of an organization. Deficiencies, at times, are caused by poor decision-making and insufficient research. It is, therefore, imperative to take necessary measures to ensure that such weaknesses are eliminated correctly (GURL, 2017, p.999).
Opportunities
Opportunities tier with threats. Opportunities, therefore, are factors that externally affect the performance of an organization positively. Opportunities can be viewed as external factors influencing an organization to achieve its objectives effectively. Within the Scottsdale police department, opportunities exist. These opportunities are; creating a good sharing relationship with the community. In this aspect, Scottsdale is working towards achieving present opportunities that have incredible resemblance with the strengths of the organization. Overcoming weaknesses leads to current opportunities (Scottsdale Police Department, 2018, p.4). The Scottsdale Police Department has opportunities to improve its communication with the community for the efficient operation of the organization. Other than this, there is room for expansion and improvement technologically for the attainment of set goals and objectives of the Scottsdale Police Department.
Threats
Threats are external factors that can be economic, cultural, social, environmental, demographic, political, technological, legal, governmental, or competitive that negatively influences the performance of an organization. To avoid threats, weaknesses should be decreased (Caprarescu, 2013, p.41). In the case of the Scottsdale police department, threats such as poor workforce, outdated Technology, emergency unpreparedness, and poor response to crime threats exist. These threats inhibit the organization’s functioning (Scottsdale Police Department, 2018, p.6). These threats cannot be eliminated but can be mitigated by tackling weaknesses that lead to such threats.
Technology Addressed in the Plan
In this strategic initiative, there was an aim of establishing a process for ISB that would help the department identify trends that would allow it to be kept ahead of the Technology. A protocol for personal training in each technological implementation was a suggestion too. In addition to specialized training, the issue of an annual evaluation of the existing technology needs was addressed. Lastly, the establishment and implementation of a plan for NIBRS to satisfy the requirement of the FBI and the State was considered (Scottsdale Police Department, 2018, p.7).
Predictions
- The population of Scottsdale is expected to grow by 27% through 2030
- The daytime population is estimated at a 28% growth rate daily and 15% during the winter season
- Calls initiated by officers and those generated by citizens are expected to increase continuously.
- Tourism will be maintained to be a pillar of the economy of Scottsdale
- Criminal difficulties are expected to rise with advancements in Technology
Justification of the Assumptions made on the Strategic Plan
The strategic plan employed by the Scottsdale Department has been a success because it has allowed the department to establish a vision for the future. This has led to the development of long-term goals and objectives that are operational. These objectives have been met through various strategic initiatives made by the department. As a result of the plan, there has been effective resource allocation and proper budget planning. The program has assisted in realizing the most current issues in the community and addressing economic challenges affecting the State. This plan, therefore, has been a success.
In ensuring that the laid down strategies work out properly, measures have been laid down to cater to this. Such efforts are; the promotion of trust and legitimacy through transparency, accountability, and procedural justice, the development of responsive and comprehensive policies and the implementation of formal checks and balances on data collection, embracing of Technology and social media for communication to address local needs, involving the community in the fight against crimes, advocating for high-quality education and relevant training from both local and national training centers, and endorsement of practices that will support officer wellness (Scottsdale Police Department, 2018, p.5). Collaboratively, these measures have contributed to the success of the strategic plan by the department.
Limitations of the Strategic Plan
However handy the plan has proven in the Scottsdale Police Department, it has drawbacks. This plan lists weaknesses and challenges on a piece of paper. This is prone to bias. In addition to biasness, listing strengths and weaknesses on a piece of paper does not imply practicability, which is essential in handling any matters of an organization. The SWOT plan is also poorly formulated, deficient in quantity and quality information, expensive, and difficult to categorize variables into the SWOT quadrants (GURL, 2017, p.1004).
In conclusion, therefore, the laid down strategies have been productive. Through the SWOT analysis, it is evident that the Scottsdale Police Department has strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This should lead the department in resolving remedial ways to help reduce crime and create a good and safe environment for the citizens of Scottsdale. A conclusion can be drawn that the plan has shown that the police department is working correctly. However, the department needs to be keen on threats to the department and the larger public for the safety of all.
References
Caprarescu, G., Stancu, D. G., & Aron, G. (2013). The SWOT analysis between myth and reality. Knowledge Horizons. Economics, 5(1), 38. http://orizonturi.ucdc.ro/arhiva/2013_khe_1_pdf/khe_vol_5_iss_1_38to42.pdf
Gurl, E. (2017). SWOT analysis: A theoretical review. https://www.academia.edu/download/62389742/SWOT_ANALYSIS_-__A_THEORETICAL_REVIEW20200317-103393-rbe9nt.pdf
Scottsdale Police Department. (2018). Scottsdale Police Department Strategic Plan 2018-2021.Scottsdaleaz.gov. Retrieved October 20, 2022, from https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/ScottsdaleAZ/Police/current-pd-strategic-plan.pdf