FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 21, 2016
After several months of evaluation and analysis, the Waterford Township Police Department has initiated a re-organization of the department with several objectives in mind.
It is important that our department is organized in a manner that allows us to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. To that end, we have identified three main bureaus; Patrol Services, Investigative Services and Administrative Services. This allows us to identify tasks and functions and make sure those things are accomplished within those bureaus. This ensures that our members are concentrating on their specific assignments instead of being pulled in different directions.
The backbone of any police organization is Patrol Services and that is certainly the case in Waterford Township. Our greatest amount of people and resources is dedicated to Patrol Services. We are always trying to find ways to increase our efforts in this area to ensure adequate response times and deliver quality services to Township residents.
Our Patrol Services Bureau gets great support from Investigative Services. They are responsible for follow-up, investigation, and prosecution of all criminal matters. Most often as a result of cases initiated or reported by Patrol Services.
Administrative Services is responsible for day to day business operations of the Police Department, including all personnel matters, records functions, budgeting, dispatch, and a host of other administrative functions.
By organizing people and functions in their proper place, we have already been able to add the following personnel:
Patrol Services:
(1) Full Time Police Officer
(1) Full Time Sergeant
(1) Full time Dispatcher Investigative Services
(1) Full Time Detective
We have also been able to return three Full Time Police Officers to Patrol Services, from short term disability or administrative duties, since April of this year. This means an increase of five uniformed personnel, available on patrol in Waterford Township. As well as, one additional Dispatcher and a Full Time Detective to pick up part of the case load in the Investigative Services Bureau.
The Waterford Township Police Department is also in the process of establishing an eligibility list to hire new Officers, one immediately, as well as promotional lists for the rank of Lieutenant and Sergeant. In addition, we are preparing to hire one additional Part Time Police Officer to bring our compliment of Part Time Officers to full strength. This has all been accomplished with no additional cost to the taxpayers of Waterford Township.
Our re-organization has been met with enthusiasm and cooperation by our entire department. We have received great support from Township Supervisor Gary Wall and the Board of Trustees. We are creating a culture at the Police Department that is positively impacting our people and our organization, which we will leverage to have a positive effect on our community.
Scott Underwood Chief of Police