Organizational Analysis of Saugus Police Department Underway to Improve Effectiveness, Increase Town-Wide Safety
(Saugus, MA) July 17, 2019 – Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree is pleased to announce that a comprehensive, organizational needs and staffing analysis of the Saugus Police Department is underway in order to strengthen the structure and effectiveness within the Department, improve and streamline services to the residents of Saugus, and increase safety within the community.
The Town has engaged Municipal Resources, Inc., a Meredith, N.H.-based municipality support services firm, to conduct and complete the in-depth structural review of the department to help plan for the future needs of Saugus residents and to continue to provide the most secure and strategic police services within the community.
This public safety initiative will aid the Town’s administration in identifying and improving best practices throughout the department in order to better serve and protect the public.
“Our goal has always and will continue to ensure that the Town of Saugus is operating in the most efficient, strategic, and structurally sound method in order to continue to serve the residents and visitors of our community to the best of our abilities,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “By conducting a comprehensive, in-depth analysis of the Police Department, we will be able to improve and enhance the public safety services in the Town of Saugus.”
The police department analysis is one of several recent important community initiatives this Town Administration and Board of Selectmen have been prioritizing as part of a community-wide effort to improve and increase safety within Saugus. The Town has also been addressing speeding and pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety by working alongside The Engineering Corp (TEC) of Andover, Mass. to finalize and act upon a comprehensive, Town-wide speed limit analysis. In addition, the Town also recently received support and advocacy from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Town Meeting to increase police staffing levels, which will direct efforts towards speed and traffic safety issues.
As part of the Police Department analysis, Municipal Resources, Inc. is conducting a series of site visits and interviews with members of the Police Department in order to gain an understanding of the police operation, community, special risks, deployment patterns and organizational structure. MRI is also identifying and evaluating the strengths and areas of room for improvement within the Saugus Police Department by surveying Saugus Police Department personnel.
Following a detailed data collection period, Municipal Resources, Inc. will put together a final report that identifies opportunities to enhance the delivery of efficient and effective services to the community. Recommendations will be consistent with recognized best practices as they relate to providing police services in Saugus. The report will provide the Police Department and Town administration with the information and recommendations needed to further develop and strengthen the department’s strategic plan, goals, and expectations for the future.
“This report and analysis will be used as a forward-thinking approach to implementing improvements and enhancements to our police department and the Town as a whole,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “In working together as a unified community, by prioritizing these important public safety initiatives, we can address our shared goal of improving speeding and safety within the Town of Saugus.”
Municipal Resources Inc. has served hundreds of municipalities across the country for more than 25 years. They provide an array of professional services for various departments that help meet municipalities’ needs while obtaining the maximum value for limited tax dollars. Their expertise includes police, fire, human resources, schools, planning and community development, public health and human services, assessing, and other services.
For more information, contact the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.
About The Town of Saugus
The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.
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