a starter , one can assume that we would do a hiring freeze . A hiring freeze would eliminate all salary funds for vacant positions . GPD has averaged about eight vacancies throughout each of the previous five years and this figure would amount to approximately 10 % of our available salaries and benefit costs ($ 520,000 ). Although these figures are estimates and will be dependent on what the scenario looks like at the time , but this is a reasonable estimate . This “ hiring freeze ” type of approach is based upon the premise that “ you are doing the job now with what you have ”. Although this is true , but how good of a job are we really doing and how long can it last ?
Reducing capital expenditures is another area where some reductions could be made by delaying the purchase of patrol vehicles . This is generally merely “ kicking the can down the road ”, as repair and maintenance cost will overtake the cost of replacing patrol units over time . Again , the question is “ How long can we do it before it catches up to us ?”
Lastly , we will be faced with cutting services given the limitations introduced by the budget reduction process .
When we reach this reality , the following questions will need to be addressed :
• What does a reduction in services look like ?
• What reduction in services will our community tolerate ?
• What are the community expectations of their police department ’ s operations ?
These are the realities that we are facing at a time when crime is rising , the applicant pool / qualified workforce is shrinking and the challenges of retaining a quality police force are at an all time high . I think it is incumbent upon us , as leaders of law enforcement organizations , to begin the difficult conversation that we are all going to have to initiate . Our elected officials and communities are going to have to “ Reinvent and Reimagine ” what they actually want their police force to “ be ” as well as what they are responsible for doing . This is going to require a “ Reprioritization ” in the community ’ s hierarchy of needs . In the end , if community outreach is important , an adequate number of personnel will be needed to facilitate it . If proactive police work is required to help reduce crime , communities will have to maintain a sufficient force of officers to accomplish those goals and so on and so on … This is not the time to sacrifice quality of personnel or limit training as the environment is too complicated and challenging .
It is time to start having the tough conversations .
Chief Mike Yates has 28 years of law enforcement experience with 15 as chief . He is currently the Griffin police chief and previously served as Chief in Jonesboro , Arkansas , Americus , Georgia , and Bibb County Schools . He holds a Master of Public Administration and is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College as well as the 199th Session of the FBI National Academy .
Economic indicators suggest the U . S . may be entering a recession . What steps should agencies take to prepare for proposed budget cuts as well as where they may look to make those reductions ?
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