OPD VS. CSPD

A Tale of Two Police Departments:

Introduction

Are all police departments “created” equal?

If they are different, how can you tell?

What makes one department “better” than another.

What About These Two Cities?

The Omaha Police Department (OPD) and the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) are often used as comparable cities for labor negotiations.

But, are they comparable? Is one department contemporary and the other old-fashioned?

Let’s take a look.

What Contemporary Policing Is Not

No investment in technology or infrastructure

Employs random dragnets or indiscriminate sweeps

Poor relationship with community

Poor or non-existent data collection

Us vs. Them

What Contemporary Policing Is

Changes with the times. Practices pro-active policing. Uses community policing strategies. www.cops.usdoj.gov/

Develops “problem oriented policing.” www.popcenter.org

Smart Police Departments

COP and POP utilize partnerships between police AND the community.

Department utilizes civilians.Technology gives them accurate data to analyze trends and patterns of crime.The policing manner is respectful.

How To Compare OPD to CSPD*

OMAHA COLORADO SPRINGS Population: 408,958 428,277 Area: 131 sq. miles 194 sq. miles Police Dept: OPD CSPD Sworn 786 688 Non-sworn 205 = 991 309 = 997 911 Calls 229,933 295,517 Budget $98,765,052. $85,989,131* All data based on comparison of 2010 OPD Annual Report and 2010 CSPD Annual Report

Contemporary Policing Relies on “POP”

Herman Goldstein developed “Problem Oriented Policing” in 1979, focusing on analytical responses to crime.

The Center for POP opened in 2001.POP is now the standard for policing.

What is POP?

Old-fashioned policing does not solve the root problem of crime or community problems; POP addresses root problem;

Individual police officers have a wealth of under utilized community knowledge and ideas on how to solve immediate problems;

Community needs to be involved in solving problems;

Analytical problem-solving model, monitored with rigorous data collection.

Compare Crime-solving AT OPD And CSPD

OPD: Problem – gun violence. OPD: Solution – more random patrols, more police presence, more random traffic stops, little community engagement, reactive,old-fashioned, ineffective policing.

Now Look At CSPD

CSPD: Problem – any community problem (homelessness, downtown crime, car theft, metal theft, etc.).

CSPD: Solution - District Sgt. identifies problem, enlists two officers and meets with stakeholders in community, brainstorm solutions. District Sgt. develops response, implements solution, measures success. • Successful POP projects rewarded by promotions solidifying this important department value.

Compare OPD to CSPD

• OPD still uses random patrols and response time.

• CSPD is well-trained, well-educated, well-staffed, and well-organized. It is forward thinking, problem solving, innovative, and pro-active. The use of both COPS and POP strategies and tactics is widespread. CSPD engages with COPS and POP strategies.

What Do The Differences Look Like

OPD has little useful or available information to draw comparisons – it is a closed, opaque department. No data.

OPD does not do department-wide surveys, so we do not know their courtesy rating – it does not effectively use community policing strategies. No feedback.

OPD uses little or no social media, electronic, or digital technology to communicate with the public. No connection.

OPD Is An Out-of-Date Department

OPD’s community outreach, education, or partnering are minimal.

OPD’s volunteer services are not converted into savings.

OPD has NO POP projects or strategies in play.

Compare OPD to CSPD

CSPD is a dynamic part of the community – the department is welcome and a part of all community events.

CSPD has a 94% courtesy rating based on community surveys.

CSPD utilizes civilians and non-sworn officers.

CSPD Is A Smart Police Department

CSPD widely uses volunteers – in 2010, 352 volunteers contributed 47,396 hours of work valued at $959,754.61.

CSPD is on Facebook and Twitter, has an award-winning webpage, and has libraries of helpful PSA’s videos and information to provide the community.

CSPD has hundreds of successful POP projects.

Take A Closer Look At The Colorado Springs Police Department

A Contemporary, Smart Police Department

CSPD Provides and Partners With A Multitude Of Community Services And Providers

Bicycle Registration / Document Valuables Business Watch Child Occupant Protection Program Citizen Advisory Committees Citizens Academy Crime Prevention Crime Stoppers Drive Smart DUI Enforcement Explorer (Cadets) Program Graffiti Identity Theft Impound / Vehicle Auction Internet Crimes Against Children Lock & Pocket Your Keys Neighborhood Watch Parent Resources Property / Evidence Refuse To Be A Victim Ride Friendly Program Senior Victim Assistance Team (SVAT) Special Events Suspicious Activity Victim Advocacy Unit Victim Advocacy Unit - Espanol

Neighborhood/Business Watch

Contact a Crime Prevention Officer

Crime Safety Tips

Safety Videos

Classes and Trainings available

Crime Prevention Newsletter

Weekly Admin Report

Call For Service

CSPD Quarterly Crime Report

Lights and Locks for Seniors

CSPD Is A Quality of Life Police Department

Mission Statement

"Our mission is to promote the quality of life in Colorado Springs by providing police services with integrity and a spirit of excellence, in partnership with our Community."

Department Values

We believe that we (the Police) derive our powers from the people we serve.

We will never tolerate the abuse of our police powers.

We recognize that our personal conduct, both on and off duty, is inseparable from the professional reputation of the Police Department.

We are committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all individuals.

We view the people of our community as our customers who deserve our concern, care, and attention. We support an organizational climate of mutual trust, and respect for one another.

We encourage the pursuit of higher education by our employees.

We are committed to contributing to the advancement of the Police profession.

CSPD Police Operations – What Works

Civilians: CSPD has wisely allowed many expensive sworn officers to retire and have replaced

them with as many civilian and non-sworn officers as safely possible. CSPD has a civilian Commander in charge of Management Services, numerous civilian employees, and non-sworn officers. For instance:

The Use Of More Non-Sworn Officers

Community Service Officer ProgramCommunity Service Officers (CSOs) are specially trained, non-sworn personnel who perform some non-critical duties.

CSOs handle primarily cold calls that do not involve viable suspect information or injuries.

CSOs free up a significant amount of time for sworn personnel to respond to high priority.

CSOs result in a cost savings to the department and the City of Colorado Springs.

CSO Officers and Cruiser

CSO cruisers and officers are distinctively identified by the cruiser markings and uniform. Also note a Code Enforce-

ment unit and a regular cruiser denoting the various assignments.

Here’s How POP Works At CSPD

POP Projects: Downtown Area Response Team (DART)

In response to increasing gang activity and violence in 2009 in the downtown area (DTA), a pilot project was initiated with a sergeant and two police officers.

DART Is POP In Action

The Sergeant and Officers conducted over 150 community contacts creating relationships with the bar owners, managers, bouncers, and bartenders.

CSPD hosted monthly multidimensional meetings with stakeholders in the downtown clubs like cab companies, non-profit entities, and military personnel.

Planning sessions were held to create a new vision for the success of downtown.

The downtown officers also enlisted the help of the Fort Carson Department of Emergency Services.

DART Project Expands

• The Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division recognized CSPD officers at the quarterly awards ceremony at Fort Carson.

And the Colorado Springs Police Department was nationally recognized by receiving the 2010 International Association

of Chiefs of Police-DynCorp International Civilian Law Enforcement Military Cooperation Award.

Another Award Winning Policing Program

The DART Project, nationally recognized by an IACP Award, partnered CSPD with downtown merchants and military command to make downtown Colorado Springs safer:

Another CSPD POP Project

Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) Since June 2008, the City of Colorado Springs experienced a

dramatic increase in the number of homeless camps on public land adjacent to recreational trails and creek beds. The number of homeless individuals living in tents swelled to over 500.

Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)

• HOT consisted of three officers.HOT coordinated efforts among advocacy groups,

shelters, and service providers to get services to the homeless community.

RESULTS: most of the homeless camp areas have been cleaned up and no arrests have been made for “homelessness.”

HOT helped non-profits shelter 304 families and helped 176 individuals to reunite with families out-of-state.

CSPD Improves The Quality of Life

HOT documented 155 people becoming employed and self-sufficient. HOT has made 3,585 outreach contacts and 82,968 referrals.

HOT participated in 44 clean-ups of vacant camps with Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, a local non-profit organization.HOT has made 57 felony and 168 misdemeanor arrests.

CSPD Wins Prestigious International Award

HOT won the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing 2010 International Herman Goldstein Award For Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing and the Colorado Springs City Council recognized their efforts with a Resolution of Appreciation.

The List of Innovations Goes On In Other Units

Grants, Planning & Research Unit: - In 2010, alone, applied for 31 grants and received

$2.6 million and administered 50 grants; - Conducted and provided research on numerous

topics, including using Civilian Investigators in the Internal Affairs Unit and how to operate a Public Safety Volunteer Program.

CSPD Monitors Accountability

Internal Affairs Unit:- In 2010, conducted 299 Level I complaints, down from 305 in 2009 and 346 in 2008. Level I complaints are more informal, can only result in a 2-year

reprimand, and may be resolved by mediation;- In 2010, this unit conducted 23 Level II investigations. These are more serious matters and may result in termination. These investigations

have been sustained at a rate of nearly 90% in recent years;

- In 2010, this unit also tracked department-wide awards: 723 awards were given to sworn personnel and 72 awards were given to civilian personnel.

More CSPD Accomplishments

Communications Center:- The 911 Communications Center was re-

accredited by its accrediting agency, IAED;- CSPD’s Communication Center was the 18th

in the world to be awarded the highest distinction from the IAED for Medical Priority Dispatch.

CSPD Emphasizes Training

Training Unit:- In 2010, this unit provided 40 in service sessions

where 575 sworn personnel were in attendance;- Topics covered included: American CPR,

Emotionally Disturbed Persons, Excited Delirium, PTSD, Tasers, Photo Line-Ups, Show-Ups, Handcuffing, Control Holds and Takedowns;

- In 2010, this unit also conducted 8 hours of in- service training for civilian personnel. This

training focused on customer service, communications, and leadership.

And More Units Report In

These examples only scratch the surface of the level of achievement CSPD’s Annual Report recounts in nearly 70 pages. Many of the other traditional units like, Gang, Graffiti, Robbery, DUI etc., likewise have similar accomplishments to report. See, below.

And More Units Report In This Single Year

Grants, Planning and Research

Internal Affairs Training Academy Public Information

Office Social Media Citizens’ Academy Explorer Program Communications

Center Community Service

Officer Program Crime Prevention

Officer GangNet Unit License Plate Reader

Unit Liquor Enforcement

Property Crimes Unit Traffic Unit Downtown Area Response Team

(DART) Homeless Outreach

Team (HOT) Copper Thefts Unit Burglary Pattern Unit Drugs and Counterfeit

Money Unit Guns, Drugs, and

Human Trafficking Unit Sex Offenders Unit Aggravated Robbery

and Stolen Vehicles Unit

Guns and Money from

Robbery Unit Crowd Control Team DUI Checkpoint Digital Voice

Recorders for Patrol Officers

Report Financial Crimes Unit COCCA Case Unit Fort Carson Soldier

Arrested for Ponzi Scam Report

Pawn Unit The Colorado Internet

Crimes Against Children

(ICAC) Task Force Computer Forensic

Unit

And More Units . . .

Homicide/Assault Unit The Robbery Unit Victim Advocacy Unit Crime Stoppers Strategic Information

Center Metro Crime

Laboratory Family Crimes Unit Volunteer Services Evidence Unit Records &

Identification Section Liquor Enforcement

Unit Special Enforcement

Unit

Undercover Narcotics Operations

Public Safety Event Unit

Seizure/Forfeiture Unit

Protective Security Section

Airport Police Unit Marshals Unit Photo Enforcement Tactical Operations

Section Unit Canine Unit (K-9) Colorado Springs Regional Explosives

Unit

COMMIT (Community Impact Team)

Code Enforcement Unit

Graffiti Removal Program

Parking Enforcement Unit (PEU)

Handicap Parking Enforcement Unit Motorcycle Unit Special Events

Coordinator Major Accident Unit

(MAU) Civilian Military

Policing Collaborative

Facilities, Fleet, and Capitol Improvements

With all of these examples of excellence, what about the condition of equipment, facilities, technology etc. at CSPD. Take a look:

Final Checklist

CSPDOPDCommunity Policing Yes NoGood Community Relations Yes NoUp-to-Date Technology Yes NoModern Facilities Yes No40 Hours In-service Per Year Yes NoExpansive Civilian Personnel Yes NoVolunteer Savings Captured Yes NoEffective Internal Affairs Yes NoImplements POP Projects Yes NoTransparent and Accountable Yes NoAward-winning Yes No

Conclusion

CSPD polices a slightly larger population than OPD does. And patrols nearly 60 more square miles than OPD. CSPD answers nearly 65,000 more calls for service than OPD. CSPD employs over 100 more civilian personnel and nearly 100

fewer sworn officers than OPD. CSPD’s facilities, fleets, technology, and equipment are modern and

up-to-date. CSPD’s training far exceeds OPD. CSPD partners with its community and uses both COPS and POP

strategies. CSPD has award winning services.

AND IT COSTS $13MILLION LESS THAN OPD!!!

Questions And Actions

Why doesn’t OPD resemble CSPD?Are more police departments like OPD or

CSPD?What about the departments in OPD’s labor

array?If we are quantitatively compared to other

departments, then why isn’t there a qualitative comparison too?

Is Omaha getting the policing it is paying for?If not, why not?Where do we go from here?

Suggested Readings

http://www.springsgov.com/SectionIndex.aspx?SectionID=12

http://www.opd.ci.omaha.ne.us/www.cops.usdoj.gov/www.popcenter.orghttp://samuelwalker.net/blog/http://nacole.org/Nashville ReportPasadena Report

More Readings of Interest

Portland Report New Orleans Police ReportPolice Discipline ReportPERF Reporthttp://

lincoln.ne.gov/city/police/documents.htm See, Lincoln Police Department Five Year Strategic Plan

About The Author

Tristan Bonn is an attorney and an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice at Buena Vista University in Iowa. She has a B.A. from the University of Arizona, a Masters in History from the University of Colorado, and a J.D. from Creighton University.

From 2001 through 2006, she was the first and only Police Auditor for the City of Omaha. She was fired by Mayor Fahey for releasing a report critical of the Omaha Police Department.

Currently, she speaks frequently about smart policing and civilian oversight.