December 31, 2013 From the Chief s Desk It has been quite a year at the Cornelius Police Department. We ve seen many changes, experienced a lot of heartache and achieved some great victories. On a personal note, it s hard for me to believe that I ve been with you for over 13 months. During that time I ve come to appreciate each and every one of you for your work ethic, commitment and vision. 2014 will undoubtedly present us with a whole new set of challenges. Let us face them with professionalism and courage, knowing that whatever happens, we will win as long as we keep our focus on the citizens we serve. Attached is a list of accomplishments we have achieved over the past year. While some may seem dated, they all were reached in the past 13 months. Undoubtedly there are many more items worthy of mention. As you think of them, please forward updates to me. We ll include them in our annual report. Happy New Year!! Chief Summers Police Department Accomplishments 2013 1. Through group consensus, priorities were identified for both Officers and Sgts. Adherence to these priorities will now be a gauge by which to evaluate performance. (Identified What we do). 2. Mission Statement that is citizen oriented, concise, attainable and yet comprehensive developed with input from all. (Establishes Why we do it.)* 3. Completed full review of Policy and Procedures manual to ensure that policy reflects current practice and vice versa. ( How we do it ) 4. Set clear Chief s Expectations in writing for Officers and Sergeants. 5. Utilizing information gained from four processes listed above, a comprehensive evaluation form was developed with Officer involvement. We now have a true measure of desired performance in multiple areas. 6. In an effort to flatten the organizational structure and put more emphasis on patrol division, the Assistant Chief position was eliminated. Assistant Chief was reclassified as a Lieutenant and a new Lieutenant position was created resulting in substantial cost savings. 7. In order to increase amount of time on patrol, responsibilities for major programs such as Training, Firearms, Reserves, Field Training and Evaluation, Scheduling, Vehicle Maintenance etc has been removed from Patrol Sergeants and placed under Lieutenants. These positions supervise Sergeants and patrol officers, carrying a monthly salary that while 5% above Sergeant, has no overtime, resulting in huge savings in overtime budget. 8. For the first time in 18 years the evidence room was audited, inventoried, an alarm installed. 9. Newsletter was established to increase communication both within and outside the department.
Page 2 10. Officer Jason Moser was recognized as DUII Officer of the Year for the State of Oregon. 11. Management Advisory Committee was begun. Officers are invited to share breakfast or lunch with management and engage in free forum involving sharing ideas, vision, upcoming plans, current events etc. 12. Officer of the Year program initiated in effort to improve customer service and build camaraderie. First recipient was nominated by peers based on community involvement, inspirational characteristics, productivity, attitude and other factors. 13. Overtime reduction strategies have been implemented. Sergeant approval required in advance. 14. Radar Trailer and Decoy Car program resurrected with help from COPCAB. 15. Code enforcement efforts enhanced with help from volunteers who spot, inform officers (who take enforcement action) and monitor compliance. 16. Increased communication with COPCAB President has enhanced organizational membership (four new members) structure, goals and projects. 17. Dress Code for non-uniform employees developed and implemented. 18. Work began on training program for volunteers that will enable us to have front counter greeter / phone answering during business hours. 19. Scrapbook started for newspaper clippings of significance. Volunteers clip on a daily basis. 20. Thought for the week program began. Messages designed to increase communication, provoke thought, inspire, advise and challenge are posted in restrooms and in squad room. 21. Began holding regular staff meetings to establish priorities and increase communication between Sergeants, Lieutenants, Chief and Office Manager. 22. Vehicle maintenance work moved from auto dealerships to Public Works. (Cut hourly rate by 2/3rds) 23. Fuel purchases for patrol fleet also moved to public works. Results will be higher grade of gasoline at same cost, extended vehicle life, increased miles per gallon, increased interaction between city divisions and enhanced security for Public Works physical plant. 24. Established policy providing for the assignment of a tracking number for every incident wherein force is utilized. Special report developed for these incidents which require sign off by Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Case is then assigned to an Incident Review Board who will study all incidents involving use of force. Board will be comprised of Association Officer, Lieutenant and a citizen. Incident will be checked for compliance with policies and accepted state statutes. Officer involved will then receive feedback on findings of board. Incidents involving use of force that is excessive or not in compliance with policy will result in additional training and / or discipline as determined by Use of Force Review Board. Chief must sign off on all decisions made regarding each specific incident. Report will be delivered annually to City Manager and made available to citizens / media that lists all investigations involving excessive use of force. 25. Began similar tracking program for all citizen complaints received: Each complaint is assigned a tracking number and entered into a database. Complaint is fully investigated and determined to be either Unfounded, Not Sustained or Sustained. Chief must sign off on all complaint investigations before closing investigation. Complainant is then re-contacted and apprised of the results of the investigation. 26. With Officer input, we developed a new shift schedule that will save us vast amounts of overtime expense on an annual basis. In addition to the cost savings, the schedule gives Officers more opportunity to rest between work weeks, increasing morale and energy. Schedule provides up to 4 Officers on shift at a time and 21 hours per day of supervision.
Newsletter Title Page 3 27. To increase fiscal accountability, purchase cards have been recalled from individual Officers. Sergeants now must approve any purchase made for an Officer. 28. General Order was issued prohibiting idling of patrol cars in PD parking area. Result should be 10-20% increase in fuel mileage during periods of mild weather. 29. Collective bargaining agreement negotiated, agreement reached. 30. Created an Annual Calendar of Recurring Events to help plan out our year and not miss important deadlines. All Sergeants, Office Manager and administrators can enter important events or dates we need to reserve for activities. 31. Chaplain program officially instituted with veteran Fire Department Chaplain (and previously unofficial PD Chaplain) Joel Peterson sworn in. 32. Sergeants offices moved to rooms adjacent to squad room to increase communication and accountability. 33. Former Chief s patrol car replaced with late model (used) Hybrid vehicle. Result will be increase in gas mileage from 14 to 40 and state lease payment reduction from $375 to $225. 34. Four Shop With a Cop events held for dozens of needy children. 35. Volunteer Coordinator brought on board to develop program that will support patrol officers and citizens. 36. Volunteers trained to assist with eradicating graffiti. Weekly patrols established. 37. Volunteers received flagger training so they can assist officers on motor vehicle crash scenes if requested. 38. Over half (6) of our Officers increased their certification levels by one step. Half of those increased their certification level by 2 steps. With only 3 more increases in certification, every member of this department will have achieved the highest level of certification possible for their position. 39. Initiated Police Blotter program wherein activities of the police department are sent to newspapers on a weekly basis as a marketing tool. 40. New graphics installed on newer patrol cars to increase visibility of officers 41. New, more modern shoulder patch design developed by officers. The new patch is infused with symbolism and meaning. 42. Received ballistic vests that are paid for in part by federal grant. Program for rotational replacement implemented. 43. Police Department carpeted and painted for first time since it was built. Lobby and front office remodeled to make them more customer friendly. 44. Completed first ever department wide hearing tests. Adopted annual hearing conservation program. 45. Management Advisory program started wherein Officers and Management meet for a meal offsite, on our own time, to discuss ways to improve organizational communication, morale, service to community etc. 46. Warrant team established with great results. 47. Liaison appointed and trained to coordinate our efforts with county Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (IGET) 48. Three Hispanic Town Halls held at El Centro. 49. Over 700 citizens attended Police Department s National Night Out celebration on August 6 th 50. Abandoned vehicle ordinances rewritten to streamline enforcement process. 51. In effort to more efficiently manage our training needs, a new process was implemented to evaluate new training requests by comparing them with past training. Officers are encouraged to train in multiple different areas to give them balance and be well rounded. Both Training Sergeant and Lieutenant must sign off on request. Chief must give final approval. *Mission Statement: The mission of the Cornelius Police Department is to provide quality police services to our community in a fiscally responsible manner; while maintaining the highest standards, ethics and accountability to those we serve and those we serve with.
Page 4 Impaired Driving Enforcement This Holiday Season, the Cornelius and Forest Grove Police Departments will have additional officers working together in a targeted Impaired Driving enforcement. Officers organizing this campaign are calling it the Sober Santa campaign, coining the phrase We see you when you re drinking, we know when you re.08. Both departments urged people to celebrate responsibly by choosing designated drivers, driving sober, or finding alternative ways of transportation not just through the Holiday season but year round as well. There are many ways to celebrate responsibly. Using a cab service or having a cab fund can reduce the number of impaired drivers on the roadway. If using a designated driver, this should be a person who is not drinking, not the one who has consumed the least. Remember that as a party host, you could be held partially or even wholly liable for any damages or injuries caused by a person leaving your party who is impaired to a perceptible degree. A typical DUII can cost close to $10,000 in court fines, classes and fees as well as a mandatory license suspension for at least 90 days. The Sober Santa campaign will run from December 13th through January 2nd. We will also be looking for distracted drivers, seatbelt compliance Grinch's, and those travelling too fast for safe winter travel. Both departments will be utilizing both marked and unmarked patrol vehicles as well as saturation patrols. Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) will also be out on patrol looking for drug impaired drivers. Officer Jason Moser
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Page 6 Impaired Driving Enforcement This Holiday Season, the Cornelius and Forest Grove Police Departments will have additional officers working together in a targeted Impaired Driving enforcement. Officers organizing this campaign are calling it the Sober Santa campaign, coining the phrase We see you when you re drinking, we know when you re.08. Both departments urged people to celebrate responsibly by choosing designated drivers, driving sober, or finding alternative ways of transportation not just through the Holiday season but year round as well. There are many ways to celebrate responsibly. Using a cab service or having a cab fund can reduce the number of impaired drivers on the roadway. If using a designated driver, this should be a person who is not drinking, not the one who has consumed the least. Remember that as a party host, you could be held partially or even wholly liable for any damages or injuries caused by a person leaving your party who is impaired to a perceptible degree. A typical DUII can cost close to $10,000 in court fines, classes and fees as well as a mandatory license suspension for at least 90 days. The Sober Santa campaign will run from December 13th through January 2nd. We will also be looking for distracted drivers, seatbelt compliance Grinch's, and those travelling too fast for safe winter travel. Both departments will be utilizing both marked and unmarked patrol vehicles as well as saturation patrols. Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) will also be out on patrol looking for drug impaired drivers. Officer Jason Moser
Page 7 City of Cornelius Town Hall Meeting City Council Chambers 1310 N. Adair Monday January 13, 2014 at 7:00 pm The Cornelius City Council will host a Town Hall on Police Services. Cornelius Police Chief Ken Summers and Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett will be available to answer your questions.