It seems there is a reasonable approach to solving many of the challenges facing the MPD. A lot of that has to do with the way MPD operates and not so much with whatever the Council passes.
Also, it’s strange to me that the Mayor isn’t mentioned more when it comes to the way MPD. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t appear that Bowser is being held accountable for many of these issues.
Curious what your thoughts are on the search for a new MPD chief. I saw DC has a survey out asking residents about their views on this. I started to fill out the survey but quickly realized - I have no idea what makes a good leader of a police department. Should they be hired from within the ranks, or someone who has led another department? Should they be good at recruiting, or simply good at delegating that task to someone else? I have no idea what is best for MPD on this granular of a level.
Yeah, it's not an easy question. In my opinion, both up-from-the-ranks current MPD leaders and chiefs from other cities bring strengths and weaknesses and I don't think one or the other should be a requirement. Given how toxic the rank-and-file attitudes are towards current MPD leadership at this moment I would probably favor outside candidates. The Chief is very rarely the person actually doing something so I would want someone with a great track record as a manager. MPD is a large, complicated organization and the Chief's ability to influence runs through their subordinates. So the Chief skillset I care most about is that they have a strong track record and focus on improving the management of a police force and making decisions based on data/facts instead of politics (internal or external). I am very concerned that the Bowser administration is signaling that they want a "Policy Advocate" to basically be their lobbyist for legislation. That would obviously help the administration politically but it wouldn't address the serious organization problems at MPD that are harming public safety and officers' well-being.
This is amazing, thank you.
It seems there is a reasonable approach to solving many of the challenges facing the MPD. A lot of that has to do with the way MPD operates and not so much with whatever the Council passes.
Also, it’s strange to me that the Mayor isn’t mentioned more when it comes to the way MPD. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t appear that Bowser is being held accountable for many of these issues.
Anyway, appreciate your work!
Curious what your thoughts are on the search for a new MPD chief. I saw DC has a survey out asking residents about their views on this. I started to fill out the survey but quickly realized - I have no idea what makes a good leader of a police department. Should they be hired from within the ranks, or someone who has led another department? Should they be good at recruiting, or simply good at delegating that task to someone else? I have no idea what is best for MPD on this granular of a level.
Yeah, it's not an easy question. In my opinion, both up-from-the-ranks current MPD leaders and chiefs from other cities bring strengths and weaknesses and I don't think one or the other should be a requirement. Given how toxic the rank-and-file attitudes are towards current MPD leadership at this moment I would probably favor outside candidates. The Chief is very rarely the person actually doing something so I would want someone with a great track record as a manager. MPD is a large, complicated organization and the Chief's ability to influence runs through their subordinates. So the Chief skillset I care most about is that they have a strong track record and focus on improving the management of a police force and making decisions based on data/facts instead of politics (internal or external). I am very concerned that the Bowser administration is signaling that they want a "Policy Advocate" to basically be their lobbyist for legislation. That would obviously help the administration politically but it wouldn't address the serious organization problems at MPD that are harming public safety and officers' well-being.