Thursday, November 30, 2000
Department surveys show morale issues
By LES G. MASTERSON
STAFF WRITER
Throughout Crest Associates' comprehensive assessment of the Arlington Police Department, a constant theme is highlighted - low morale.
The Officer/Civilian Employee Survey shows that morale is a huge issue. In fact, 40 percent of those who answered the survey said they would not join the Arlington force knowing what they know today.
"These responses are disturbing," Crest Associates noted in its report.
Meanwhile, Arlington Police Service Director Fred Ryan said Tuesday that the morale issue comes from perceptions and communication problems.
"We've set a goal of communication with the line level personnel," he said. "Some of the perceptions leading to poor morale will be cleared up with improved communication."
For example, Ryan said the department is "as technologically advanced as any police department in this region due to the hard work of Capt. Paul Coughlin and the staff at the town's data processing." However, some within the department don't realize the advancements, he said.
Though the department survey showed that many have a low opinion of the department, the community surveys showed just the opposite. Some residents talked about a department in "disarray," but nearly 70 percent of citizen survey respondents rated Arlington police officers as average or better on professionalism and more than 90 percent rated the department's overall performance as above average or better.
Nevertheless, Crest pulled no punches when listing the department's problems.
"Divisiveness on a police force, like any organization, results in inefficiencies, infighting, and a lack of direction," according to the report.
Crest pointed to a couple reasons: resentment toward Ryan, who was hired from outside the department; the "lingering effects of a crisis in confidence as the result of a highly-publicized incident"; and complaints of favoritism and politics.
Regarding some of the command staff's negative attitude, Crest wrote that the relationship between the hierarchy and officers has become an "unhealthy competition."
In response to the problems, Crest said the department should take some drastic action - a reorganization.
"Based upon observations and information gained through interviews conducted with both ranking officers and patrolmen, we find the behavior of certain higher ranking command staff members is unprofessional and unjustified, and betrays the trust and respect afforded them by the citizens of Arlington - the same trust and respect they feel is lacking in their positions," said the associates.
"A reorganization of the command staff is necessary to offer the opportunity for positive changes to occur and to place command staff committed to leadership and team-building in positions where such positive change must be accomplished.
"Likewise, command staff intent on opposing the opportunity for the department to move forward should be reassigned to positions more appropriate for their energies, talent, and current level of commitment to change, or demonstrated lack thereof. Simply put, command staff committed to the future of the department must make that commitment known, while command staff that remains stuck in the past must review their long-term commitment to a department moving in a new direction," according to the report.
Selectman Charles Lyons agrees that a shakeup is in order.
"My opinion was reinforced that we need a shakeup of the higher level management staff," said Lyons. "I was very disheartened with the sloppy policy and procedures that is the responsibility of an existing employee."
When questioned about the command staff's perceived low morale, Ryan declined comment except to say, "Clearly, in order to implement any of the contemporary strategies, we need to dedicate command staff personnel to the development and implementation of such initiatives."
Though morale is an issue in the Arlington Police Department, Crest Associates said the general attitude of patrol officers "toward the core function of their duties is very good."
Ryan also threw a bouquet to the department.
"I think the community survey and the opinion of the consultant clearly indicate that our resource demands far exceed our current resources and I think it's a tribute to the current staff that the job is getting done as well as it is under existing resources," he said.
However, the department's long-term outlook causes worry throughout the department.
The problems in the police can be found in some of the department's responses. There is talk of "petty bickering, "poor leadership," the department "treated as a second class organization by the town government," and a need for better training and equipment.
When asked to respond to the overall evaluation of the department, one person wrote, "Gentlemen, I would love to answer your survey; however, being overworked and underpaid leaves me no time to do so. Suffice it to say that there is a lot wrong with the situation here internally, and not just the police, the town."