Introduction
Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying “We must plan for the future because people who stay in the present will remain in the past (Garner, 2005).” It would seem that Lincoln’s words are wise counsel for law enforcement leaders still today. Some law enforcement agencies continue to operate under the outdated professional model of policing that is reactive in nature and based on fast response times, effective investigations, and high visibility patrol, with little focus on community relations. Contemporary police scholars have shown that the professional model of policing does not control crime (Vardalis & Wiatrowski, 2000). New models, based on scientific research, have been introduced over the past 40 years, yet too many agencies …show more content…
Strategic planning is proactive and requires agencies to examine where they currently are, envision where they want to be, and lay out a course to get there. The problem that many agencies must overcome is the thought that strategic planning is a daunting task full of complicated …show more content…
Although top leadership typically is responsible for initiating the strategic plan, the process itself involves key stakeholders both within and outside the organization. This allows for both the community and rank and file officers to be a part of the future planning of the organization and at the same time develop a level of partnership and buy in that may not have existed before (Stlehm, 2012).
The strategic planning process itself helps the law agency define its purpose and establish realistic goals and objectives along with achievable steps to meet the goals within a realistic time frame. The inclusion of members from the community and from all different components of the agency helps to ensure that everyone is working towards the same set of goals. In addition, the strategic plan provides a mechanism for communicating agency priorities to the community and to its own members (Stlehm,
Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying “We must plan for the future because people who stay in the present will remain in the past (Garner, 2005).” It would seem that Lincoln’s words are wise counsel for law enforcement leaders still today. Some law enforcement agencies continue to operate under the outdated professional model of policing that is reactive in nature and based on fast response times, effective investigations, and high visibility patrol, with little focus on community relations. Contemporary police scholars have shown that the professional model of policing does not control crime (Vardalis & Wiatrowski, 2000). New models, based on scientific research, have been introduced over the past 40 years, yet too many agencies …show more content…
Strategic planning is proactive and requires agencies to examine where they currently are, envision where they want to be, and lay out a course to get there. The problem that many agencies must overcome is the thought that strategic planning is a daunting task full of complicated …show more content…
Although top leadership typically is responsible for initiating the strategic plan, the process itself involves key stakeholders both within and outside the organization. This allows for both the community and rank and file officers to be a part of the future planning of the organization and at the same time develop a level of partnership and buy in that may not have existed before (Stlehm, 2012).
The strategic planning process itself helps the law agency define its purpose and establish realistic goals and objectives along with achievable steps to meet the goals within a realistic time frame. The inclusion of members from the community and from all different components of the agency helps to ensure that everyone is working towards the same set of goals. In addition, the strategic plan provides a mechanism for communicating agency priorities to the community and to its own members (Stlehm,