What Happened?
The Association of Washington Cities recently presented Shoreline and Kenmore with the Municipal Excellence Award for their shared police command model. The partnership has reduced the cities’ spending by more than $600,000 in the first three years, with more long-term savings expected.
The Goal
The shared police command initiative between Kenmore and Shoreline was designed to improve service delivery to residents while cutting unnecessary costs. The police chiefs at Kenmore and Shoreline proposed a contract between the two cities, both of which were previously working in collaboration with the King County Sheriff’s Office for various police services.
After annexations of neighboring cities forced the KCSO to consolidate police services and administrative functions, Kenmore and Shoreline brainstormed a shared patrol supervision, oversight, administrative support and mutual call backup strategy. In consolidating the police command services, Kenmore and Shoreline share functions without adding extra staff, which has drastically increased cost savings. The arrangement also ensured police support personnel are located close to the communities being serviced for heightened efficiency.
How It Happened
In an interview with Gov1, Kenmore Police Chief Clifford Sether explained that a unique problem arose, requiring an out-of-the-box solution.
“Kenmore was faced with a dilemma of having mutual call response, administrative support, and supervision and command too far away (and with no corresponding reduction in police contract costs,” Sether said.
To correct the problem, the larger city of Shoreline offered to provide Kenmore with contract city Chief oversight, shared supervision, administrative support and mutual call backup. The Kenmore Chief of Police would report to the Shoreline Chief of Police, while Shoreline administrative personnel will support Kenmore operations and record keeping.
“Unified in their mission, both chiefs approached their respective decision makers and stakeholders in their cities,” Sether explained. “They publicly articulated the long term benefits, resolved concerns, and achieved buy-in from their communities and elected officials.”
End Result
According to Sether’s latest figures, the cost savings broke down as follows:
2011
Kenmore: $56,794
Shoreline: $136,388
Total: $193,182
2012
Kenmore: $71,651
Shoreline: $144,699
Total: $216,350
2013
Kenmore: $72,766
Shoreline: $165,617
Total: $238,383
Since first implementing the program, the cities have accumulated $647,915 in combined savings.
Takeaways
Sether described the collaboration between the two police departments as an example of creative leadership necessary when an unexpected problem arises. He recommends other municipalities facing similar dilemmas to:
- Transform a problem into an opportunity so as to better a situation rather than simply address the issue
- Form partnerships with neighboring cities to cut costs, share resources and create economies of scale for long-term benefits
- Do not fear a loss of local control, but rather embrace creative ideas and cooperation when problem-solving for the future
Many organizations such as the Association of Washington Cities are challenging local decision makers to build partnerships, engage the community in city planning, invest in innovative cost-saving strategies and consider greener solutions to problems.
Police Innovation
Gov1 has followed recent developments in communities looking to merge police services and revamp financing to improve efficiency.