Salem to Undertake Organizational Review of Police Department

SALEM, MA – Salem Police Chief Mary Butler and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll today announced that the City has retained the Public Safety Strategies Group LLC (PSSG) to undertake a review of the Salem Police Department’s organizational structure and policies, with the goal of identifying opportunities and strategies to help strengthen the department and increase its effectiveness in protecting the public.

The objective of the review is to identify those best practices currently in place in the department and what are potential areas for improvement. During the review PSSG will work with a Steering Committee comprised of department officers, City staff, and community representatives to organize interviews and meetings with department personnel and other stakeholders from a variety of populations throughout the City.

In addition to the interviews PSSG will review internal policies related to the operations of the department, including deployment, workload, administrative and financial procedures, facilities, organizational structure, programs, and community engagement. The final outcome will be an objective evaluation that recommends positive steps the department and City can undertake to strengthen police operations in Salem.

“I look forward to working in partnership with the men and women of the Salem Police Department, Chief Butler, and our stakeholders in the community as this process moves forward,” said Mayor Driscoll. “PSSG’s review will offer a useful perspective on where we are doing well and where we can do even better.”

“Through this collaborative effort, PSSG will help the SPD develop strategies to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations,” said Chief Butler. “Having external resources assist with this effort allows department members to continue with their daily assignments while participating in an unbiased assessment process.”

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