Week 9 Discussion- Kenny Davillier Jr
Respond by Day 5 to two colleagues by supporting or differing with any aspects of their analyses. A few sentences and a question. Respond to Kenny as if you’re having a conversation.
The city of Houston, TX police department General Fund Budget (2015) was $806,991,579. The budget was divided into five categories: classified compensation (83.9%), civilian compensation (9.9%), city allocations (4%), supplies and services (2.3%), and classified OT (1.5%). Classified compensation and classified benefits represented 93.8% of the budget. The police department’s personnel totaled 6,637: classifieds (5,262), cadets (140), and civilians (1,235). In the past the Houston Police Department struggled with managing their budget. In 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2014 the Houston Police Department finished the fiscal year in the red. Primary spending is on classified pensions (repayment), classified compensation, and classified pension annual increase. Compounding the issues of financial limitations is the increased workload. Houston’s population increased by 400,000; but classified staff decreased by 258, and civilian staff decreased by 711.
The Houston police department identified areas for organizational and culture changes. Organizational changes were implemented to drive professionalism. This undertaking was divided into five committees: customer service, training, discipline, supervision and leadership, and civilian workforce initiatives. It’s commendable to recognize that organizational and cultural change was necessary for progress. However, supplies and services only represented 2.3% of the budget. Either police leadership had no interest in truly changing organizational culture, or they were shackled by the budget restraints. Even though the allocation of funds for supplies and services were minuscule, the police department had significant accomplishments. The decline of Part I crimes, elimination of DNA and Sexual Assault Kits backlog, responded to more than 1.2 million service calls, and continued the expansion of youth programs and crime prevention, etc.
Technological development was clearly emphasized. Body-Cams, in-care video cams, and tracking systems were highlighted. 5,400 new tasers were ordered to replace older models. Allegedly the new tasers had improved safety features. The budget should illustrate how additional resources increased community-police relationships, departmental goals, and the organization’s core values. If not, any limitations should be addressed with improvement recommendations. Tax payers are concerned with how the police department is spending the funds and if additional spending positively impacted their community. The budget report should be more transparent. Residents should be aware of how spending may have improved their community. The budget report can improve by listing the supplemental services and trainings police officers completed during the year. A brief description on how those supplemental services and trainings benefited the police and community should be notated on the budget report.
Reference
McClelland Jr., C. (2015). Houston police department fiscal year 2016 budget presentation. Retrieved from http://www.houstontx.gov/police/department_reports/budget/HPD-FY16-Budget-Presentation.pdf on April, 24, 2019.
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