Editor’s note: This is the second article in Leading Smarter: The Department of Police Efficiency (DOPE) — a five-step guide to building a stronger, smarter police department using real-world strategies inspired by today’s top innovators. Learn how to break down complex problems, challenge outdated assumptions, rethink operations from the ground up and lead a department that’s ready for the future.
Visionary leaders like Elon Musk drive innovation by challenging assumptions and encouraging data-driven decision-making. For police leaders, adopting this mindset means creating a culture where critical thinking, transparency and continuous improvement are the norm — not the exception. Last month, we looked at how to apply Musk’s first principle of breaking down complex problems to improve police efficiency. This month, we explore how questioning the status quo and applying structured frameworks like Lean Six Sigma can lead to more efficient, accountable and trusted policing.
Applying Musk’s second principle: Challenge assumptions
The second business principle of Elon Musk is to challenge assumptions by fostering a culture of openness and critical thinking.
Police leaders need to create an environment where questioning established practices is not only accepted but encouraged. Officers should feel empowered to challenge the status quo and propose innovative solutions based on critical thinking. This involves promoting evidence-based policing, which relies on scientific research and data analysis to inform decision-making and practices.
By fostering a safe environment for feedback, police leaders can ensure that officers’ voices are heard and valued. Regular analysis of policing data is crucial to discovering biases and inefficiencies within the system. This data-driven approach enables continuous improvement and adaptation to the latest information. Reliance upon experience alone can create a flawed decision-making process.
Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma provides a robust framework for implementing these principles. Lean practices focus on streamlining processes by finding and cutting waste, thereby improving efficiency. This could involve reducing unnecessary paperwork, optimizing patrol areas, improving allocation of sworn employees, or enhancing communication systems. Six Sigma, on the other hand, uses data-driven methodologies to reduce errors and improve consistency. By applying Six Sigma techniques, police departments can systematically find and address the root causes of issues, leading to more reliable and effective operations.
An example of the implementation of Lean Six Sigma in improving police department operations comes from the Miami-Dade Police Department in Florida. They used Lean Six Sigma principles to address the issue of frequent accidents involving marked police vehicles. The problem identified was a high number of preventable accidents involving marked vehicles. This was a costly issue and also impacted officer safety.
They used the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology to identify the root causes, such as insufficient driver training and unclear policies (control processes). Miami-Dade introduced targeted driver training programs, revised the policies for clarity, and implemented monitoring systems to track compliance and performance of the officers. The results of this led to a significant reduction in accidents, improved officer safety, and cost savings for the department.
By challenging assumptions and improving efficiency, police departments can improve their operations. This not only enhances the effectiveness of policing but also builds trust within the community. Transparent and accountable practices foster a sense of security and confidence among community members. Efficient resource allocation ensures that efforts are directed where they are most needed, maximizing the impact of policing initiatives. Overall, embracing a culture of openness, critical thinking, and continuous improvement allows police departments to better serve their communities and adapt to evolving challenges. It will also help with the inevitable internal organizational pain of dealing with change.
Role of Professional Standards
The evaluation and auditing of departmental programs and issues should be conducted by an impartial entity within the police department, such as the professional standards division. This division serves as an internal intelligence-gathering unit, ensuring objectivity and thorough analysis. The responsibility for utilizing the gathered intelligence rests with the command staff, who apply it to inform strategic decision-making and operational improvements.
Transparency within a police department is contingent upon establishing and maintaining robust accountability mechanisms. Accountability must be demonstrable, ensuring that all actions and decisions within the organization are subject to review and validation. This demonstration is achieved through strict adherence to compliance standards, which serve as benchmarks for lawful and ethical conduct. The foundation of compliance lies in regular audits and inspections, conducted systematically to assess adherence to policies, regulations, and operational goals.
Audits and inspections act as essential tools for identifying areas of strength and improvement within the department. They provide an objective framework to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental programs, detect high-risk activities, uncover weak internal controls, and address outdated procedures. By highlighting discrepancies, these reviews enable leadership to implement corrective measures that promote accountability and maintain transparency.
Moreover, compliance efforts must be an ongoing process, supported by a dedicated division such as a professional standards unit. This division plays a pivotal role by conducting unbiased evaluations and audits, ensuring that departmental actions are aligned with established policies and best practices. The insights gained from these evaluations should be leveraged to foster organizational improvement, enhance public trust, and provide the community with confidence in the department’s commitment to integrity.
Expanding the concept further, transparency and accountability in policing extend beyond internal operations. Engaging with the community through public reports, town hall meetings, and feedback sessions enhances transparency and creates a culture of openness. Regular audits paired with public disclosure of their findings demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance and a dedication to building trust.
| TOP TIP: Lt. Dan Olsen with LD Consulting LLC is a retired lieutenant from the Phoenix Police Department. He worked in Professional Standards and now teaches courses about audits and inspections. This is an excellent set of courses to get started in Professional Standards.
Questions for further discussion
- How can police leaders foster a culture where officers feel comfortable challenging outdated policies?
- What role does bias play in traditional policing methods, and how can data-driven approaches mitigate it?
- How might Lean Six Sigma principles help law enforcement improve efficiency and public belief?
| NEXT: In the next article, we’ll explore how first principles thinking can develop innovative solutions for law enforcement challenges.
