Organizational Review of Police Department Soon Underway

Salem has retained the Public Safety Strategies Group LLC (PSSG) to undertake a review of the Salem Police Department’s organizational structure and policies.

The goal of the review is to identify opportunities and strategies to help strengthen the department and increase its effectiveness in protecting the public, according to Mayor Kim Driscoll and Police Chief Mary Butler.

During the review PSSG will work with a Steering Committee comprised of department officers, city staff, and community representatives to organize interviews and meetings with department personnel and other stakeholders from a variety of populations throughout the City.

“I look forward to working in partnership with the men and women of the Salem Police Department, Chief Butler, and our stakeholders in the community as this process moves forward,” said Driscoll. “PSSG’s review will offer a useful perspective on where we are doing well and where we can do even better.”

In addition to the interviews PSSG will review internal policies related to the operations of the department, including deployment, workload, administrative and financial procedures, facilities, organizational structure, programs, and community engagement. The final outcome will be an objective evaluation that recommends positive steps the department and City can undertake to strengthen police operations in Salem.

“Through this collaborative effort, PSSG will help the SPD develop strategies to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations,” said Butler. “Having external resources assist with this effort allows department members to continue with their daily assignments while participating in an unbiased assessment process.”

PSSG, established in 1994 has worked with over 350 public safety agencies to provide organizational assessments, data analysis, crime mapping, policy and procedure review, grant writing, program development, training, and executive search services.

PSSG clients include the Cities of Boston, Everett, Chelsea, and Revere (MA), City and County of San Francisco (CA), Portsmouth, Deerfield, and Hooksett (NH), Globe (AZ), and Las Cruces (NM), Massachusetts Port Authority, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, State of Vermont, Plymouth State University (NH), and St. Louis Community College (MO).