📝 The Gist: Consulting firm BerryDunn has completed a year-long assessment of the Dunwoody Police Department, presenting 33 recommendations..
🤔 Why It Matters: The report serves as a comprehensive guide for refining law enforcement practices in Dunwoody, which could have a direct impact on public safety and community relations.
📋 The Recommendations:
Leadership, Communication, and Staff Development:
- Develop a formal coaching, mentoring, and succession planning program.
Operations and Policy:
- Develop a comprehensive alternative call-for-service response plan.
- Create and utilize a report-writing manual to ensure consistency.
Staffing:
- Hire one non-sworn administrative support staff member.
- Create a specialized street crimes unit with two investigators and a sergeant.
- Hire non-sworn field personnel for calls that don’t require a sworn officer.
- Create three new patrol officer positions.
🔍 Between the Lines:
- Some recommendations are already in the implementation phase, including new recruitment strategies and pay increases for officers.
🏃 Catch Up Quick:
- Officers received a 10 percent pay increase mid-year, adding to a 4 percent increase at the start of the year.
🖼️ The Big Picture:
The City Council is prepared to invest in the necessary changes to implement the report’s recommendations, aiming for a more efficient and community-focused police department.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
