Chief MacKinnon said that the department is putting the final touches on its own website.Training concerns have been “attacked aggressively” and a minimum schedule for same on the city and state level has been adopted.Equipment upgrades, Taser training and vehicle equipment enhancements are completed or in progress and an evidence audit will be followed by an auction.The crowded police station remains a concern but Chief MacKinnon said plans might be drawn for expansion as “new developments come into place” as a founding source.Overall, of the 97 different objectives detailed in the strategic plan about a third are complete while others have shown progress to date.Chief MacKinnon ended his PowerPoint presentation with the SPPD Oath of Honor, which stresses integrity, honor, respect and the courage to always do the right thing.The oath is “important to me” and SPPD personnel he noted.“In our last meeting we came to the conclusion that - as we saw in the presentation - a lot of the goals and plans outlined in the Strategic Plan have been accomplished,” said Bob Breyer of the special citizens committee formed to oversee the Arroyo study and strategic plan.The process of continuing the plan has been “institutionalized in the department, not just” administratively but also on the personnel level.After Council questions and discussion on various issues including the need for additional officers and salary increases the Council accepted the report.
Ambitious SPPD 5-Year Strategic plan reaching goals
September 19, 2007
Santa Paula City Council
The progress on the Santa Paula Police Department’s ambitious 5-Year Strategic Plan is strong only 18-months into the program the City Council learned from Chief Steve MacKinnon at the Sept. 4 meeting.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe progress on the Santa Paula Police Department’s ambitious 5-Year Strategic Plan is strong only 18-months into the program the City Council learned from Chief Steve MacKinnon at the Sept. 4 meeting.The plan - introduced to the Council in February 2006 - was partially based on the recommendations of the 2003/2004 Arroyo Associates management audit completed before Chief MacKinnon joined the SPPD.“My first few months with the agency the city manager tasked me to come up with a plan,” focusing on the audit and Chief MacKinnon’s own recommendations.The two new lieutenant positions were assigned and Carlos Juarez and Mike Saviers are “very comfortable in their positions” and the K-9 program was reviewed.The SPPD has certified gang experts and has been meeting with the District Attorney’s Office to strengthen relationships and communications.Other improvements implemented include patrol, which will be operating under a new schedule to “allow more accountability.”Two officers have been trained in crime prevention and Animal Control is receiving a more “humane” vehicle for transport...department policies will also be updated.The city has adopted the Crime Stoppers program and is training Community Service Officers.Personnel reviews - the Arroyo report noted that most SPPD employees had not been reviewed for five or more years - are caught up and will remain current.
