Crosstown Coalition

The Crosstown Coalition invites Philadelphians to discuss mayoral candidates' answers to questions posed by the Coalition. Questions were generated by citizen responses to a questionnaire sent in Feb, 2007. We encourage you to read candidate answers and comment on what you think. By: Bella Vista United Civic Assoc, Center City Residents' Assoc, Logan Square Neighborhood Assoc, Old City Civic Assoc, Queen Village Neighborhood Assoc, Society Hill Civic Assoc, Washington Square West Civic Assoc.

Showing posts with label 05. PUBLIC SAFETY. Show all posts

Showing posts with label 05. PUBLIC SAFETY. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

REDUCING CIVIL SERVICE JOBS IN SENIOR POLICE POSITIONS

66% of the respondents who expressed an opinion agreed that the Police Commissioner should be permitted to appoint more senior officials.

Under the Home Rule Charter only two positions are not civil service protected so that they hold their position at the Commissioner’s discretion.

Would you, within two months of the commencement of your term, see that legislation is introduced to create a ballot initiative for a charter change increasing the number of police personnel who hold their jobs at the Commissioner’s discretion? If not, why not? If so, how many such jobs would you recommend and what positions in the Department would you recommend be held at the Commissioner’s discretion?

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NUTTER: Reducing Civil Service Jobs in Senior Police Positions

I have already proposed that, as Mayor, I will work to change the Charter to allow the next Commissioner to appoint and reassign a larger number of senior personnel, while fully ensuring that this new power is exercised in an appropriate manner

An important part of that selection will involve committing to changes in the structure of accountability in the Police Department. The City Charter is a major obstacle to attracting and retaining the best possible Police Commissioner.

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BRADY: Reducing Civil Service Jobs in Senior Police Positions

As Mayor, I would work with the FOP and the Commissioner to determine the best leadership structure for the Philadelphia Police Department.

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EVANS: Reducing Civil Service Jobs in Senior Police Positions

Yes, I would support Charter changes to allow the next Police Commissioner more flexibility in appointing senior officials. I would work with the Commissioner to determine the number of positions and depth of flexibility needed.

I encourage you to view my full public safety plan at www.evansformayor.com.

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FATTAH: Reducing Civil Service Jobs in Senior Police Positions

I support giving the Police Commissioner more power to hire senior police officials, improving accountability and enhancing police management. I would consult my Police Commissioner, as well as past Commissioners and senior police officials on the exact positions that would be appointed by the Commissioner.

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KNOX: Reducing Civil Service Jobs In Senior Police Positions

As mayor, I will identify the best Police Commissioner for Philadelphia and then equip him or her with the tools necessary for restoring public safety. In addition to the ability to make more personnel changes, I will provide him or her with 1,000 additional police officers and cutting-edge technologies.

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MEASUREMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Presently, the City does not collect data measuring the flow through the criminal justice system so that, for example, there are no publicly available statistics as to how many persons arrested are convicted or placed on parole nor is there any analysis as to why convictions do not occur.

69% of the respondents who expressed an opinion, strongly agreed or agreed that the criminal justice system would improve if the City regularly posted statistical measurements of its performance.

Would you direct that all department heads reporting to the Mayor abide by the long-ignored Charter provision that annual public reports be issued and use the bully pulpit to encourage those elements of the criminal justice system (the District Attorney and the Courts) which do not report to the Mayor to pool data so that your administration produces a coherent report of statistics portraying the performance of the system?

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BRADY: Measurement of Criminal Justic System Performance

We will consult with the District Attorney and Police Commissioner to determine how best to report performance.

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EVANS: Measurement of Criminal Justice System Performance

Yes, I would support such a requirement.

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FATTAH: Measurement of Criminal Justice System Performance

Statistical performance measures are an important tool to ensure accountability. I have called for the implementation of a city-wide CitiStat program to track service delivery and performance measures in all departments across the city. This effort will require departments to provide these statistical measures which I will ensure are made public through annual departmental reports.

I will absolutely work with the District Attorney and Courts to encourage them to support and contribute to the CitiStat program so that we can have the most comprehensive and accurate information possible.

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KNOX: Measurement of Criminal Justice System Performance

Efficiency fundamentally relies upon good data. As Mayor, I will push for the collection and publication of data regarding the performance of city agencies as well as the criminal justice system.

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NUTTER: Measurement of Criminal Justice System Performance

Yes, having detailed statistical information about our city’s criminal justice system is essential and I will direct agencies under the Mayor’s authority to increase their statistical data records.

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PUBLICATION OF CRIME MAPS

The Police Department, as part of its Compstat program, collects digital information on the location, time and nature of all crimes. Police computers can display "crime maps" which show the locations of recent reported crimes across the city, by crime category.

This digital crime incident data is not available to the public. In Chicago, which, for more than five years, has made Compstat mapping public, citizens can go online to view "crime maps" providing a portrayal of criminal activity current to within ten days.

Would you, in the first three months of your administration, issue a public directive to make publicly available Compstat data no older than a month (except in cases of victim sensitive crimes such as child abuse)? If not, why not?

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EVANS: Publication of Crime Maps

Yes, I would favor making such data publicly available.

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FATTAH: Publication of Crime Maps

I support maximizing transparency and citizen information and input, particularly in the crucial area of crime. I will issue a directive to make crime maps publicly available based on the most up-to-date information available.

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KNOX: Publication of Crime Maps

Yes, as above, I will take all deliberate action to make data available.

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NUTTER: Publication of Crime Maps

Yes.

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BRADY: Publication of Crime Maps

We will consult with the District Attorney and Police Commission to determine if this is a wise course of action.

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GREATER USE OF CIVILIANS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

While 15% of the survey respondents indicated that the Police Department leadership was effective, 43% responded that it was ineffective.

Do you believe that some functions presently performed by Police Academy graduates can be just as efficiently performed by civilian personnel so as to free up more trained officers for active police work?

If the answer is “yes”, would your administration at the end of each year publish statistics as to the percentage of the police force that is actually on the street and the percentage working desk jobs? If the answer is “no”, please explain your reasoning.

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FATTAH: Greater Use of Civilians in the Police Department

I support a comprehensive review of police deployment so that we can maximize the number of officers on the street. Utilizing more civilian personnel is just one of many ways to maximize police presence on our streets. I support the publication of statistics regarding the percentage of the police force that is on the street on an annual basis.

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