KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department has released the results of its “Climate Assessment” survey of officers and employees about the culture within the department.
Before Chief Paul Noel took charge in June, police consulting firm 21CP Solutions signed a contract to interview and survey KPD officials and unsworn employees about what they thought of police cultural climate. I was there.
Employees expressed the need for improvement in several areas, including:
- Concerns related to diversity, equity and inclusion were raised in several demographic groups.
- Only 32% of employees reported that in their experience the promotion process was fair. 38% did not answer that specific question.
- Communication, especially from people in the decision-making process. Employees report that decisions that affect them are often made without the opportunity to give their opinion or receive an explanation behind the decision-making process.
- Employees expressed concerns that revealed that the department’s technical infrastructure was disjointed, inefficient, and inadequate for a modern police department. This shows that KPD can benefit from her dedicated IT staff and multi-year technology funding plan.
- Field operations officers widely preferred 10-hour shifts to the current 12- or 8-hour shifts.
“This climate assessment has been an important part of my process of evaluating our organization,” said Chief Noel. “Assessment results help us develop a better understanding of how best to support members of our department. develop strategies and initiatives to strengthen
Other findings from the study include:
- 93% of survey respondents reported feeling respected by their colleagues.
- Nearly 80% of survey respondents reported having a clear process for employees to escalate issues to colleagues and managers for resolution.
- Nearly 60% of KPD sworn and non-sworn employees said they felt that KPD provides opportunities for employees to develop the skills they need to advance their careers.
- Nearly 60% of respondents also reported feeling that KPD supports a culture of ongoing employee training and mentorship.
- Most employees generally agree, with or without oath, that KPD supports their physical and mental health.
- Nearly 70% of respondents report having the equipment they need to do their jobs successfully.
This evaluation consisted of voluntary input from both sworn and unsworn KPD employees through an anonymous online survey and seven focus groups. About 95% of all employees completed some or all of the survey, and about 70 KPD employees participated in focus groups, according to a KPD release.
“We wanted our employees to be completely honest in their assessment of our organization,” says Noel. “Without a comprehensive view of where we are as an agency, we cannot improve. The evaluation highlighted that there is a lot of room for growth and improvement. Once we have time to implement our larger strategic vision and implement substantive measures, we will reassess our current position over the next 18-24 months.”
“It is encouraging that employees feel that they are widely respected by their peers and that people within the department perceive them as a strength of the organization. It’s a reminder of what we’ve been through,” said Noel. “It is also encouraging that our employees feel that we are devoting sufficient resources to their well-being. There is still a lot of room for improvement in these areas, but we are right. It shows that we are moving in the right direction.”
The full 37-page report can be viewed below.
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