Welcome back to this new edition of Gov CIO Outlook !!!✖
DECEMBER - JANUARY8GOVERNMENT CIO OUTLOOKIN MYOPINIONBrian Podany, Police Chief/Safety Services Manager, City of Blaine, MinnesotaByRESPECT IN PUBLIC SAFETYhe song Respect, made famous by Aretha Franklin and originally coined by Otis Redding, was an anthem of empowerment (Benitas-Eves 2022). Although the song dates back over half a century, the principle of the importance of respect rings true now more than ever. In public safety, trust and respect are at the core of many of the problems we are experiencing. When we look at the historical challenges law enforcement has faced regarding interactions with other citizens, the prevailing problem pertains to a lack of trust and treating others disrespectfully. Fortunately, trust and respect are also key to the solution. There have been many high-profile police-related incidents that have caused controversy over the last eight years. These incidents have had a significant societal impact across our country and around the world. Ferguson, Baltimore, Cleveland, New York, Minneapolis, and other US cities have garnered international attention for incidents that have occurred involving police-citizen interactions. The impacts on police relationships with others in their communities are far-reaching. Changes in methodology and statutory changes are impacting the way law enforcement not only interacts with but engages with other members of the public. These changes are often reactionary to the handling of police incidents.Law enforcement has additionally seen a significant exodus of those leaving the profession. This includes not only the baby boomer generation leaving the workforce, but large numbers of officers leaving early due to duty disabilities and feelings of lack of support. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) notes that 2020-2021 there was an 18% increase in resignations and a 45% increase in retirements in 2019-2020 (PERF 2021). The findings additionally note the impact of the negative national narrative on police and a lack of new qualified new applicants entering the field. Staffing challenges are exacerbated by the dwindling number of applicants entering the profession, rendering personnel issues at the forefront of challenges faced by many law enforcement agencies.Historically, public safety is no stranger to ebbs and flows. This ebb is no different and the question remains as to where we go from here. Brian PodanyT < Page 7 | Page 9 >