Substation planning gives police an edge in meeting report’s priorities
Chandler police are at least one step ahead in the process of meeting a consultant’s list of priorities for long term improvement.
The department already is planning a local substation near Desert Breeze Park, one of the recommendations present- ed last week by Maximus, the company hired by Chandler to study police operations. The consultants listed among their priorities a new station to serve the densely populous community west of the Price Freeway.
According to police information officer Sgt. Mark Franzen, studies necessary to develop such a station have been under way for several years, and the facility is scheduled to open in about 18 months.
The consultants’ report was due to be presented in its entirety to members of the Chandler City Council on Oct. 23, followed by a community meeting the next day.
In their report, Maximus consultants offered 48 recommendations that they said would help Chandler continue its transition from a small-town police department with some outmoded policies and procedures to a big-city operation with the potential for national acclaim.
Overall, consultants said they found a basically sound department with highly qualified officers and good equipment.
In addition to localized substations, the report recommends modifying police promotional policies to avoid the appearance of favoritism, increasing community-outreach efforts with Hispanics and other groups, and improving training for officers on special assignment.
Some of the recommended changes already have been made, police noted.