Spokane Police Strategic Plan

1. How did Chief Mangan approach organizational change to community policing?,

2. How do Spokane’s values and vision compare to Chapter 3’s sample mission statements?,

3. How do the mission statements from Spokane, Portland, Houston, and Madison differ?,

4. Why do these mission statements differ?,

5. Which missions and values would you prioritize as a new police chief and why?

Comprehensive General Response:

1. Chief Mangan’s Approach to Organizational Change (400+ Words)

Chief Terry Mangan’s approach to implementing community policing in Spokane, Washington, involved a comprehensive and collaborative strategy focused on long-term organizational change. Recognizing the need for a shift from traditional policing methods to a more community-focused approach, Chief Mangan prioritized strategic planning as the foundation for transformation.

His method began with building internal consensus and educating personnel on the goals and benefits of community policing. He organized workshops and training programs to introduce the concept of community-oriented policing, ensuring that officers at every level understood the vision behind it. Chief Mangan believed that successful change starts within the organization, and thus, he heavily involved department members in the strategic planning process.

Spokane Police Strategic Plan

The department utilized surveys and community meetings to gather feedback from both officers and the public. This participative approach helped the department identify key community concerns, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and partnership.

One notable element of Chief Mangan’s plan was the creation of multidisciplinary teams involving police officers, community members, and city officials. These teams worked together to analyze crime patterns and design proactive solutions tailored to neighborhood needs. By engaging various stakeholders, Mangan strengthened the department’s accountability and responsiveness.

Strategically, Chief Mangan emphasized decentralization and problem-solving. He empowered officers to make decisions at the neighborhood level, encouraging initiative and creativity. Officers were tasked with long-term problem-solving projects in their assigned districts, moving beyond traditional reactive approaches.

Furthermore, Chief Mangan embedded community policing into the department’s long-term planning by establishing measurable objectives and timelines. He developed new performance metrics focused on problem-solving, citizen satisfaction, and crime reduction through collaboration, rather than just arrest statistics.

By aligning organizational culture, training, policies, and evaluations with community policing principles, Chief Mangan’s approach ensured sustainability beyond his tenure. His strategy combined internal education, external collaboration, structural change, and accountability—an effective model for long-term organizational transformation toward community policing.

2. Comparison of Spokane’s Values & Vision (200+ Words)

Spokane’s police department crafted a mission and vision centered around public trust, partnership, and proactive crime prevention. Their values included integrity, service, and accountability. The vision focused on creating safer neighborhoods through collaboration and transparency.

When compared to the sample mission statements in Chapter 3, Spokane’s statement stands out for its emphasis on community engagement. Many sample statements prioritize law enforcement duties like reducing crime and enforcing laws but often lack a strong focus on partnership and community collaboration.

Spokane’s values are more community-oriented and proactive. They explicitly mention public participation, a theme not consistently present in the sample statements. Their mission reflects a long-term commitment to building relationships with citizens, suggesting an organizational identity tied to service and cooperation rather than solely enforcement.

While both Spokane and the sample departments highlight safety and integrity, Spokane’s statement places higher importance on mutual trust and neighborhood problem-solving. This reflects Spokane’s alignment with modern community policing principles, positioning the department as a collaborative partner rather than merely an enforcer of the law.

3. Differences Among Department Missions (200+ Words)

The mission statements of Spokane, Portland, Houston, and Madison Police Departments differ in tone, priorities, and focus areas.

Spokane’s mission is highly focused on community partnerships, problem-solving, and proactive policing. It emphasizes trust, neighborhood safety, and collaborative strategies with citizens.

Portland’s statement shares some community-oriented elements but tends to lean more toward operational efficiency and crime response. Their language reflects both a service focus and an emphasis on using resources effectively.

Houston’s mission is broader and heavily focused on law enforcement, crime control, and public safety. Their statement appears