Mesa Police Department 2001 Annual Report

*Police Personnel Status Overview* *(as of 12/31/01)*
Sworn Officers	808
Non-Sworn Personnel	508.5
Volunteers	177
Total Police Members	1493.5

Training -- Mesa Police Training is a recognized leader in the State of Arizona and is used as a model for other agencies by AZPOST.

The proficiency skills squad developed and implemented new courses to meet the goal of including additional classes for in-service personnel. The expanded use of simunitions was a significant aspect of this new training. Simunitions is the use of detergent-based rounds that can be fired from a slightly modified Glock handgun similar to the firearms used in the field. This allows the officer to safely practice tactics in a realistic atmosphere. This training helps police officers prepare for any potential "shoot or don't shoot" situation in the field. (Photo at left: Training in progress at the Mesa Police Academy.)

The proficiency skills squad also developed 11 new in-service menu-item courses during 2001, coordinated and hosted four instructor schools for in-service personnel, and developed four courses for civilian employees during the past year. The proficiency skills squad was awarded a Unit Citation for their efforts in developing in-service training classes for both sworn and civilian personnel.

The Mesa Police Academy graduated two classes during the year and redefined the application of field training scenarios. The academy staff continued a pilot program, expanding the scenario-based training to four sets of field problems for police recruits. The last two sets are conducted off-site and develop into a realistic simulation. Recruits drive a marked patrol car and receive training calls on their radio and in car computers. They respond with their evaluator to a controlled, yet real, location to handle the scenarios. This approach to scenario training was developed, and is used exclusively, by the Mesa Police Department. (Photo at right: Brad Clarke, Lee Coking, and Nathaniel Baugh go through DTI Training.)

The newly implemented Police Academy for Civilian Employees graduated two classes during the year. Approximately 52 civilian employees received this training between the two classes. Each class met one day a week for seven weeks. Their training consisted of presentations from virtually every area of the police department and a chance to meet every command staff member. The performance objectives for the class consisted of learning more about the functions of the police department and how their jobs fit into the overall organizational operation. A second objective was to expose the civilians to other civilian positions for future job opportunities.

The training facility has also been very busy with an expansion to the capabilities of the joint Public Safety Training Facility. A capital improvement project, which includes a new auditorium with four additional classrooms, expansion to the administrative office area and new exterior walls and security gate, has added to the facility. This project is expected to be complete in February 2002.

During 2002, the Training Section will continue to create new training and delivery methods. For the first time, Mesa will host proficiency instructor schools to include high-risk stops, defensive tactics, simunition instructor, firearms instructor, and MP5 instructor schools. Menu item classes will be presented for in-service personnel for advanced firearm skill courses and investigator classes in criminal investigations. The Training Section will continue its efforts to make web-based training a reality for department-wide training.

The Mesa Police Range Staff completed an exciting year of firearms training which included the deployment of AR15s to select officers in the patrol bureau. This has provided them with added protection as first responders until SWAT is able to arrive. The range staff organized and held a night shoot for in-service officers to have them train in the environment in which they work. The range is also in the middle of a capital improvement project that has already seen several on-site upgrades to existing facilities.

The Hiring Unit has completed recruiting and testing processes for calendar year 2001, with a full year of testing scheduled for 2002. The police department will continue to offer monthly testing for police officer recruits.

During this past year, 1,006 applicants tested with the Mesa Police Department, with 808 in-state/local applicants, and 198 out-of-state applicants. Concentrated in-state recruiting efforts appear to have been effective. The top four states for out-of-state applicants were California with 32, Illinois with 18, Minnesota with 12, and Ohio with 12.

In 2001, 37 percent of applicants learned about the department via the Internet, either by visiting the City of Mesa's website or while visiting websites on which the Mesa Police Department advertises. Approximately 36 percent of applicants learned about the department from newspaper advertisements and approximately 28 percent stated that City of Mesa employees referred them. The majority of applicants stated that they were motivated to apply for the Mesa Police Department for career opportunities and job security.

In 2001, the Hiring Unit coordinated the hiring of 81 police officer recruits, five lateral police officers, and 71 civilians. For police officer recruits/laterals, 85 percent were male and 15 percent were female. For civilians, 28 percent were male and 72 percent were female.

Due to aggressive process improvement efforts in hiring, over 333 hours of department overtime was saved in the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2001/2002. Already in the second quarter of FY 01/02 (up to October 2001), the unit has saved an additional 483 hours of overtime for a total of 816 hours. It should be noted that recruiting overtime department-wide has been cut in half from last year. The Hiring Unit will continue the process improvement in 2002, by changing the written communications portion of the testing process and the selection interview phase. The background interview will also be re-worked to improve its consistency with the questions asked in the polygraph phase and on the AZPOST application form. Other planned project include an out-of-state lateral program and a project to hire fully trained officers from Arizona Police Corps.

In 2001, the Hiring Unit began a program to retain/educate individuals who have been given conditional offers of employment for the police academy. This program is an effort to keep individuals interested in the department (and show the department has an interest in them) while they are waiting for the next academy class to start. The program introduces them to the academy and what will be expected of them, both physically and mentally, while in training.

Other projects the unit will be pursuing in 2002 are establishing an Arizona background investigators association for all police background investigators in the state and increasing on-site neighbor/home environment checks on applicants just prior to extending a conditional job offer. The Hiring Unit also hopes to have digital imaging in place for all hiring files by the end of 2002 and a new updated tracking software program in early 2002.

Career Development -- The Career Development Section is comprised of two full-time positions, a Career Development Coordinator and a Police Administrative Support Assistant. The Career Development Unit administers the Career Advisor Program, Tuition Reimbursement Program, and Career Enhancement Program. The Career Advisor Program has increased by 75 percent this year, with 602 members participating in the program.

The Career Advisor team added seven new advisors this year, bringing the total number of team members to 30. The advisors also meet and receive training every six weeks. The training this year includes goal setting, cultural awareness and emotional survival, among other topics. The team will be working on a new marketing campaign in 2002 to further increase participation in the program.

The Mesa Police Department Career Advisor Program is a one-of-a-kind program developed specifically for Mesa Police Department members. Many other law enforcement agencies from Arizona and other states have contacted the Career Development Coordinator for information about the program. With a 75 percent increase in participation, this program is a great asset to the Mesa Police Department.

This year the Tuition Reimbursement Program was transferred to the Career Development Unit. Presently, 166 members are participating. Full-time city employees are reimbursed $2,200 per year and part-time employees are reimbursed $1,000 per year for applicable tuition costs. Employees must attend an accredited college or university and pass the course with a "C" or better to be eligible for reimbursement.

The Career Development Section also created a Career Resource Library. The materials in the library include books, audio and video tapes, magazines, school catalogs and schedules, and other career related items. These items are available for check-out by members of the Police Department.

Crime Prevention -- The year 2001 presented many accomplishments for the Mesa Police Department Crime Prevention Unit. An additional crime prevention specialist was added to the unit and was designated as the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for the Central and Dobson patrol districts.

Commercial Crime Prevention and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) programs continue to be very busy and active in providing security assessments to the various businesses and commercial properties in Mesa. Also this past year, five of the unit's crime prevention specialists received training to become CPTED certified. This makes the Mesa Police Department one of the only agencies in Arizona, and the United States, to have all crime prevention team members certified in CPTED.

Once again, the Crime Prevention Unit coordinated the Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) kick-off and event. The event was a great success as many Mesa residents enjoyed the excellent weather and block parties in celebrating "getting citizens involved in their neighborhoods." [Article: Anti-Crime Parties Planned Saturday]

The Crime Prevention Unit added an Identity Theft program to the presentations offered. The unit is also exploring various other programs to be added in 2002. It is also anticipated next year that the Neighborhood Watch Coordinators will be adding new areas to the approximate 750 Neighborhood Watch groups already active in the City of Mesa. [Article: Block Watches Work for Mesa Neighbors]

The Trespass Enforcement Program will be online and will make access easier for officers when responding to a location. The Crime Prevention Unit will also be looking to utilize the call-out notification system, housed in the City of Mesa Communications Division, in order to enhance the ability to communicate with citizens more quickly in reference to crime preventive issues. Visit the Crime Prevention website at www.Mesaaz.gov/police/crime_prevention/default.aspx.

Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) -- The year 2001 was declared the "Year of the Volunteer" by the United Nations General Assembly, which generated many special activities to mark the celebration. Currently, 117 City of Mesa police volunteers continue to assist sworn and civilian personnel in many divisions throughout the department.

VIPS/Patrol Meet & Greet events were held at each of the four patrol districts to introduce volunteers to patrol personnel. This also provided patrol personnel with increased insight into the various volunteer roles, and increased the rapport between department employees and volunteers. Another outstanding accomplishment was the creation of the "VIPS Hall of Fame." The Hall of Fame was established to recognize extraordinary volunteer contributions to the department and the City of Mesa. The inaugural inductees to the Hall of Fame were Amy Sailors, Bob Kennedy, and posthumously, John Okerson. The department also presented Kim Leckey with the "VIPS of the Year" award and Arcenia Rios and Cathy Romero with the "VIPS Supervisors of the Year" award.

VIPS continue their community outreach programs to benefit the community and to bolster the reputation of the police department among Mesa residents. This year the VIPS, with assistance from a number of department employees and the Mesa Police Explorers, "adopted" 101 financially deprived children for the holiday season from Mesa's Williams Community School. In addition, they continue the proud tradition of providing new shoes to children in need at the Mesa Arts Academy throughout the year. For more information on the VIPS program, or to see about volunteering, visit www.Mesaaz.gov/police/vips/default.aspx.

Senior Safety/Elder Abuse Program -- A three-year elder Abuse Pilot Project with the Attorney General's Office began in January of 2001. The goals of the project were to develop a referral protocol with Adult Protective Services (APS), a social services network, and a community outreach program. The development of the referral protocol and the social service network has now been successfully completed. The referral protocol has increased the department's communication with APS, which has greatly enhance the relationship. Also in 2001, as part of the project, a Fraud Alert Hotline, Wanderer's Database, and Channel 11 public service announcements on fraud and abuse were developed. In additional, crime prevention specialist, Karen Stegenga, received national exposure by presenting the project concept at two separate conferences on the east coast.

A volunteer program will be in place in 2002 to address the needs of vulnerable seniors, and the unit will be working with the Senior Center to reach homebound seniors. The Crime Prevention Unit will also be requesting that Neighborhood Watch participants specifically watch for seniors in need and report any suspected abuse. The unit will also continue to track elder abuse cases, and will be proactive in educating the public about elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. For more information on elder abuse visit www.Mesaaz.gov/police/crime_prevention/elder_abuse.aspx.

Off Duty Employment -- During 2001, the Mesa Police Department's Off Duty Employment Unit coordinated 5,211 jobs between off-duty police officers and local businesses and schools. These jobs included 636 different vendors from the community who were in need of off-duty police officer services.
For more information on Off-Duty Employment visit www.Mesaaz.gov/police/off_duty.aspx.