A Pragmatic Approach to Policy-Making

Answer

Miami-Dade Police Department

Introduction

Stakeholder analysis is imperative for any organization. This paper provides a comprehensive stakeholder map and stakeholder analysis of the Miami-Dade Police Department as a form of preparation for the Democratic-Republican National Convention. Some of the aspects that will be addressed are: description of the organization, identification of key stakeholders, stakeholders’ interests and concerns, claims of stakeholders, important stakeholders, SWOT analysis, organizational strategy, organizational policy, and recommendation.

Description of Organization

Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) is a county police department that serves the country of Miami-Dade, and precisely the unincorporated areas. Notably, the MDPD has lenient mutual aid agreements with alternate incorporated cities and especially the City of Miami Police Department. Its mission is: “to promote a safe and secure environment, free from crime and the fear of crime; maintain order and provide for the safe and expeditious flow of traffic; and practice our core values of integrity, respect, service, and fairness” (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2017). Additionally, its vision is to be the example of law enforcement organization in the USA by combining community concerns with strategic planning.

Key Stakeholders

The MDPD has various stakeholders. The primary stakeholders encompass the police officers, visitors to the convention, and the delegates among other law enforcement agencies like homeland security department and various police forces. The government is also a primary stakeholder in the form of the local government authorities such as the mayor and the federal government, which plays the role of endorsing the MDPD. Moreover, the general community is a primary stakeholder. It includes: the city residents, the mass media, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Besides the police officers, the MDPD has a general employee population of 4,162 individuals (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2016). These employees also constitute primary stakeholders.

Stakeholders’ interests and Concerns

The fundamental interest of the MDPD’s stakeholders is to ascertain that the community is safe. The mission of the MDPD is a suitable reflection of the interest of its stakeholders: “to promote a safe and secure environment, free from crime and the fear of crime; maintain order and provide for the safe and expeditious flow of traffic; and practice our core values of integrity, respect, service, and fairness” (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2017). Ultimately, the maintenance of security in the community and its surrounding areas is the major concern for the organization. The stakeholders of the organization have a mutual concern for the enhancement of security and a minimization of all threats to security. Particularly with the recent rise in security threats like global terrorism, domestic terrorism, and domestic extremism, all the stakeholders concur on their interest and concern for the security of the community.

Claims of Stakeholders

There are certain claims that the stakeholders of MDPD are likely to make concerning the organization. Firstly, the stakeholders would be inclined to claim that the organization is sufficient and effective in its provision of security for all the parties that depend upon it. This may encompass the city residents as well as all the visitors into the organization’s premises. An additional claim that the stakeholders of the MDPD may make is that the organization is relevant to the society, especially with the current uncertainty surrounding the security of the nation. These stakeholders may vouch for the existence and sustenance of the MDPD by illustrating all the accomplishments that the organization has had over the years since its establishment. It is imperative to validate the existence of the MDPD by describing how successful and competent it has been in preserving the security of the community as well as accomplishing other objectives illustrated in the mission statement. It is also necessary to indicate that the MDPD is constantly seeking to realize its vision statement of being the exemplary law enforcement organization countrywide.

Important Stakeholders

The stakeholders are divided into internal and external stakeholders. Whereas the internal stakeholders are directly involved with the organization, the external stakeholders play a more indirect role. In terms of importance, it is imperative to note that all the stakeholders of the MDPD are largely important. Each one contributes towards the objectives of the organization in variable ways. However, the stakeholders who are more involved in the affairs of the MDPD are: the employees, the police officers, the government, and the city residents.

SWOT Analysis

The SWOT analysis is fundamental as it provides a reliable picture of the current position of the organization in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. A major strength of the organization is that is has abundant resources. This encompasses necessary equipment to tackle any arising security threats as well as adequate human resources (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2017). The personnel at MDPD are qualified, capable, and willing to perform their duties with commitment and drive. An additional strength relates to the reputation of the MDPD. For a long time the organization has enjoyed a solid reputation for efficient and effective performance of duties. Alternatively, the organization’s major weakness is outdated technologies. The MDPD has had difficulties keeping up with the rapid technological advancements across the country. This factor slows down their operations significantly.

In terms of opportunities, the MDPD has the opportunity of innovation. Essentially, it could adopt new technological equipment and procedures in order to enhance its efficiency (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2016). Furthermore, it has the opportunity to enhance the training of its staff members and encourage more members of the community to apply for recruitment into the MDPD. Concerning threats, the MDPD is threatened by constant government regulations. The government makes regular reforms to govern police departments across the country, which may restrict the organization’s activities. Furthermore, the biggest threat to the organization results from the current crisis of terrorism and domestic extremism (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2016).

Organizational Strategy

The MDPD has a strategic planning and development section which is charged with the responsibility formulating organizational strategies. It is divided into five units: the Grants Unit to apply for grants and seek grant opportunities; the operations unit to address all zoning, research, and administration elements; the special projects unit for departmental surveys and active strategies; the municipal service unit for contract policing and annexation and incorporation issues; and the unit of the captains for special projects, analysis, and research (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2017). The MDPD aims to strengthen its position in the city by improving the training and preparation of the police officers for their roles in enhancing the security of the community.

Organizational Policy

The organizational policy of the MDPD is to operate by its core values of integrity, respect, service, and fairness. “Integrity is the hallmark of the Miami-Dade Police Department and we are committed to the highest performance standards, ethical conduct, and truthfulness in all relationships” (Miami-Dade Police Department, 2017). Additionally, the MDPD strives to treat every stakeholder with respect and understanding. Moreover, the MDPD provides quality services to its stakeholders in an accessible, efficient, and courteous manner. Lastly, the MDPD operates on a policy that mandates them to treat individuals impartially.

Recommendation

There are certain recommendations that would largely boost the current position of the MDPD. Firstly, the organization should keep up with the current technological advancements. The contemporary world practically mandates all institutions to remain updated with technology in order to remain relevant. In addition, the MDPD should offer more advanced training opportunities for the police officers working at the organization. This will increase their qualification and sharpen their skills in their various work capacities. In addition, the MDPD should liaison with other law enforcement agencies in the country as this is an approach that will enable them to learn and adopt new and efficient practices of maintaining security in their community. There is always an opportunity to learn from other law enforcement agencies by exchanging ideas and approaches. Moreover, the MDPD should focus more attention on its student internship program. The program enlists students who are interested in having a long-term career at the MDPD for a temporary period of time, which may be prolonged depending on various circumstances. By investing more into its internship program, the MDPD will have a chance to mentor and train young officers to adopt their mission, vision, and values at the start of their careers.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the Miami-Dade Police Department is one of the most reputable law enforcement agencies in the country. It is widely commended for the commitment of its personnel to the preservation of security. A combination of the organization’s mission, vision, and values place it in a strategic position to become an exemplary law enforcement agency countrywide. Furthermore, the importance of the organization’s stakeholders is not undermined; rather it is elevated as the MDPD strives to meet the needs of each one.

Stakeholder Map

Power

                                                                                Interest