Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Augusta could pay $51,000 for study of police force

By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Augusta may take a $51,000 look at its police department.

A proposed study by the International Association of Chiefs of Police would assess police staffing levels, organizational culture, workload, management, staff capabilities, efficiency, policies and promotional procedures in an overall review of all of the department's services.

The proposed study grew out of a discussion by the City Council and city staff during the budget approval process earlier this year.

City Manager William Bridgeo said councilors directed him to seek an outside organization to conduct a study of the Police Department. Bridgeo said councilors at the time were primarily interested in assessing whether the city's police force is staffed appropriately compared to other departments and accepted standards.

Bridgeo has since met with representatives of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a nonprofit corporation representing some 20,000 law enforcement executives, which he said he believes to be the "most qualified and appropriate entity to conduct a study of our department."

The association offers two related types of studies, according to a memo from Bridgeo to councilors.

One is an "organizational culture" study that would make recommendations for management based on employee interviews and a survey. The study and report would cost between $20,000 and $28,000.

Another, "comprehensive" study would encompass everything in the organizational culture study but also take an in-depth look at staffing levels, workload and capabilities -- essentially reviewing all aspects of the department's services. That study costs $51,400.

"On the face of it, $52,000 sounds like a lot of money (and it is)," Bridgeo wrote to councilors. "However, that amount represents less than 2 percent of one year's police department expenditures and if we can realize staffing and operational efficiencies from it they could pay for the study in a short time. Furthermore, I see this study as the best way to answer questions that have arisen from council, the public and our own workforce regarding the department's mission, its size, structure and efficiency."

Councilors are scheduled to discuss whether to have the study at their meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in council chambers at Augusta City Center.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com