Manteca Police now have a strategic plan.

Last month — for the first time in more than  two decades — the department published a strategic plan to inform the community it serves of issues they intend to address during the next three years along with targeted outcomes.

Police Chief Stephen Schluer after noting the absence of a strategic plan, conducted a survey of the department. A small group then  met to draft new vision statements.

Then focus groups were conducted with staff to identify issues that needed to be addressed over the next three years.

Those were then  prioritized in a workshop with goals and outcomes identified.

The three primary goals are:

*Meaningful community engagement.

*Create a succession plan.

*Enhance workplace procedures to improve employee performance and communication.

Each goal has expected outcomes aimed at being more effectively at fighting crime and protecting public safety.

The strategies noted to enhance meaningful community engagement are:

*Improve the use of social media for engaging and interacting with the community.

*Create a system to encourage staff to engage in community wide philanthropic work to support at risk youth.

*Expand outreach to increase attendance in the Police Cadet program and Citizens Academy.

*Explore the creation of a dedicated department staff position(s) to engage directly with community members to address neighborhood priorities.

*Encourage patrol and investigation staff to engage in spontaneous “meet and greets” in the community.

The end goal is the use of increased participation and involvement in community events to enhance relationships with the people the police service,.

By increasing participation in  the citizens academy and youth cadet programs, it is expected to improve the community’s knowledge of the department.

And by better communication with social media followers, the expectation is various media platforms will have an increase in followers that will work to more effectively communicate concerns and crime trends.

The strategies being employed to create a succession plan include:

*Creating a working group to review, implement, and oversee the department’s succession plan.

*Creating a robust wellness program for staff to support their mental and physical health.

*Create and implement annual training related to specific  positions.

*Explore the creation of a leadership development program.

The anticipated outcomes should lead to improved performance and morale due to investment in staff.

It is expected to improve probationary performance by the newly promoted as well as reduce the use of sick and personal leave.

Strategies to improve employee performance and communications include:

*Reviewing and updating Standard Operating Procedures for tasks that are consistent with department policy.

*Review and update job descriptions including the rules and responsibilities for all positions and performance expectations.

*Review staffing and facilities to be consistent with department priorities and projected city growth.

*Support staff to obtain further education and training opportunities focused on pubic safety trends and resources.

Implementation of the strategies are expected to improve employee performance with clear roles and expectations, enhance ownership in the department and community, and improved management and supervision.

The Manteca Police Department Strategic Plan has been posted on the city’s website.

It can be accessed from the first page dedicated to the Manteca Police Department.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com