The Mission Statement

A mission statement refers to a description of the fundamental purpose of an organization in brief by showing the reason why it exists. It offers an explanation in clear and simple terms of the purpose of the reason why the organization was established.  The importance of a mission statement is to articulate the purpose of the organization and the community in which it operates, by describing its present capabilities, client’s focus, operations and even the organizational make-up (Daft, Murphy & Willmott, 2010).  It is necessary to have a mission statement in order to ensure that all members of the organization are on the same page in providing the intended services as a foundation of effective planning.

Writing a mission statement involves an exercise of team building and this shows existing team consensus efforts in an organization. Since a mission statement is part of an organization’s public face, it is used in sensitizing the services provided by the organization and this is why such it is normally included on public platforms such a website. In case of a police department, the mission statement is the core in publicizing its operations and services aimed at maintaining law and order and justice in the community in which it is based. Where there is no mission statement, it is not easy to build a positive public image of an organization in the perception of the stakeholders including the members of the public (Pratt, 2010). Such an image is important because in fosters a cordial relationship especially between law enforcement organizations and community members to whom their services are aimed. 

Departments

The police departments that are reviewed in paper include Southfield Police Department, New York Police Department and Cambridge Police Department. The Southfield Police Department mission statement includes a commitment to professional approach in enforcing the law and providing support for the needs of the Southfield community. The statement also highlights the tactics to be employed in providing community-oriented services which comprises of effort to make the department to be trusted so that the community can have confidence in it (Southfield Police Department, 2012). The mission statement succeed in providing the purpose for which the police department exist which is to provide for the community needs and ensure that the law is enforced in this area.

The mission statement also attempts to paints the right image to the public by highlighting their commitment professionalism in law enforcement which is based on equal and fair treatment for all. This highlights the reason behind the existence of this organization in the community and the services it is supposed to provide the community.  It aligns with the department’s goal of having the public confidence in the services provided and ensuring that the expectations of the public are outlined clearly in the statement. The best part if the department’s mission statement is that it highlights how the mission will be accomplished. In relation to this, the statement highlights a continuous comprehensive training, community –focused training and the hiring and retaining quality staff to present the profession (Southfield Police Department, 2012). These aspects show methods that can help in ensuring that the intended purpose of this organization in the community is achieved. However, the mission statement can be improved by including the need to build a relationship with the community since such a provision will create a platform for collaboration and hence improved services.

The mission statement for New York Police Department describes the mission of the organization as improving the quality of life for residents of New York City. The statement highlights the reason for the existence of this organization and the role is supposed to play in the community in which it exists. The public image of the department is also endeared in the statement by highlighting that all citizens will be treated with the compassion, respect and courtesy and maintaining professionalism while providing police services (New York City Police Department, 2016). The commitment for impartial application of the laws while fighting crime through deterring them and in pursuing the criminals is also intended to paint a positive image in the perception of the public members. The statement is aligned with the values of the department that involve a pledge to protect life, preserve peace, minimize fear and ensure law and order is maintained. The best part of this mission statement is that it indicates the need for partnering with the community in law in fulfilling its duties which is an important aspect providing services aimed at these people. For effective provision of services it is important to understand the challenges to be addressed by them and such challenges are best known through building a cordial relationship with target clients (Pratt, 2010). In order to improve the mission statement of the department, the management should include an explanation of the methods to be used in fulfilling the missions. Such a highlight will ensure that all members of the organization are on the same page in terms of directing their efforts in achieving the established goal of the organization.

The mission statement for Cambridge Police Department highlights explains the mission of the organization as being establishment of a partnership with the community in order to find solutions for the various problems affecting it and fostering public safer in a fair, transparent, impartial and consistent way (Cambridge Police Department, 2017).  This mission statement succeeds in highlighting why the organization exists in the society which includes making City of Cambridge desirable and safe for living, working and visiting. In addition, the statement attempts to make the image of department favorable to the community, which in this case includes maintaining fairness, impartiality, transparency and consistency while providing a safety and desirable environment. The best part of the statement is that it acknowledges the role of the community in ensuring that security of members and outsiders is maintained, and where partnership with the community is highlighted. The mission statement can be improved by highlighting the ways in which the mission statement will be enhanced. A mission statement should show the aspects of the organization that will ensure that the entire mission is fulfilled such as the highly qualified professions.  

Mission statement

 The mission for the department is to improve the quality of life through law enforcement to maintain order and address to the needs of the city residence. The goal of the department is to impartially apply the law while deterring crimes, investigating crime and apprehending criminals so as to ensure safety residents and visitors of the city and property protection. The department upholds respect, integrity, compassion and fairness while providing law enforcement services in the community and while dealing with any of the community members. The department values positive relationship with the community and hence, establishing partnership in addressing the safety and other needs of the city. The selection of high quality professionals and development of community –focused policies are fundamental factors in ensuring the achievement of goals of the organization.

 In order to evaluate the goals described in the mission statement, there is a need to match the performance of the department with these goals.  This requires the establishment of an evaluation strategy that will link the goals established in the mission statement and the actual performance in terms of law enforcement and safety maintenance. The strategy should also measure the implication of various policies adopted by the department in terms of how the adhere to the set values comprising of impartiality, compassion, integrity and respect for the community members. The evaluation process should focus on the internal and external achievement for the department so that to establish the link between the internally made decisions and the impact on the outside environment.  The process will involve an evaluation of various initiatives or programs carried out by the police department through collection of information, comparing and analyzing the results against the intended achievements of the set goals.  An evaluation strategy involves a plan that will provide a framework for specifying what is to be evaluated and how (Daft, Murphy & Willmott, 2010). In this case, the use of a plan by the department will ensure that all operations and initiatives carried out by the department will be assessed on the basis of established standards. The analysis of the results will provide basis for corrective measure that may be taken by the department.

References

Pratt, J. R. (2010). Long-term care: Managing across the continuum. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 432-435

Daft, R. L., Murphy, J., & Willmott, H. (2010). Organization theory and design. Andover: South-Western Cengage Learning. 57-58