Departments considering the move to community oriented policing must collect systematic data to help in their strategic planning deliberations. One method for gathering useful data is through the collection of survey information from officers in the department. The Michigan State University (MSU) School of Criminal Justice, in cooperation with various police departments throughout the state of Michigan, has developed an Organizational Survey. The Organizational Survey focuses on officer perceptions of key issues relevant to the move to community oriented policing. Specific information as to the purpose of the survey, the information gathered through the survey, issues of survey administration, and how the results of the survey are disseminated are described below.

PURPOSE
The Organizational Survey can be useful in three ways. First, the move to community policing can generate both positive and negative responses on the part of police officers. Thus, it is important to capture these perceptions early in the process of moving towards community oriented policing. The results of the survey can then be examined to uncover areas of concern that must be considered as part of the strategic planning process for developing and implementing a community oriented policing delivery system.

Secondly, the survey of officer perceptions provides a baseline measure of what the key issues and concerns are early in the process of moving towards community oriented policing. The baseline can then be compared to changes in perceptions one or two years into the implementation of community oriented policing. Thus, the Organizational Survey can examine changes in officer perceptions over time.

Third, the survey results can be analyzed for differences in perceptions between officers, sergeants, and management. The results can then be disseminated to the department and can open a dialogue between management and officers regarding the change to community policing. Thus, responses to the Organizational Survey can lead to a problem-solving approach between officers and management as the strategic planning and implementation processes are pursued.

SURVEY DEVELOPMENT
The Organizational Survey was developed by the School of Criminal Justice in cooperation with various police departments inthe state. The Organizational Survey Team developed a framework to develop items for the survey. The framework is given in Figure 1. In general, the survey focuses on three areas. The first set of items focuses on systems that may support or hinder the implementation of community oriented policing. These systems include the strategic direction of the department, management and supervisory support, and resource allocation and material support. The second set of items focuses on issues of police partnerships with other agencies, problem-solving activities, and issues of officer empowerment to make a difference in the community. The final set of items focuses on key organizational and individual outcomes relevant to the move to community oriented policing. These items focus on issues such as the community orientation of the department and individual levels of commitment to the concept of community policing. Key demographic information is also collected to allow for comparison of the responses of different groups.

SURVEY ADMINISTRATION
The survey is administered by staff from MSU. Departments interested in participating in the Organizational Survey are asked to provide a date when the survey can be administered and a contact person. The contact person works with Michigan State University staff to develop a schedule for officers to participate. The survey takes 25 to 30 minutes to complete. The goal is to survey all sworn officers of the department. The survey responses are transferred into a computer data set and analyzed.

DISSEMINATION OF SURVEY RESULTS
Survey data does not become "knowledge" until members of the police department analyze and interpret the results. The MSU Organizational Survey Team analyzes the results of the survey and breaks down the data (e.g., compares officer and sergeant responses) according to the needs expressed by members of each police department. Regardless of the analyses conducted, a key component of the process is to use the findings appropriately. Utilization is most effective when findings are fed back to the management team and then disseminated down the organizational hierarchy. At each level, subordinates can be asked to help interpret the data and develop plans to make constructive changes that will make the shift to community oriented policing smoother and more effective. At some locations, the findings can be examined by joint management-labor representatives and action plans for improvements in implementation can be made. © Copyright, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Michigan 48824, 1997

For more information on technical assistance with an organizational survey contact:
Kevin Ford, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Michigan State University
Phone: (517) 353-5006
E-Mail: Kevin.Ford@ssc.msu.edu

Introduction: A number of Police agencies have begun to examine alternative ways of delivering police services. The traditional approach to policing is seen as too reactive to incidents and numbers (activity) driven. One alternative way of organizing is the move to Community Policing. Your department has begun the process of exploring how to define and implement a community oriented policing strategy. While community oriented policing can have various meanings, it is typically characterized by a focus on the needs of the community, the development of partnerships with groups such as the community, businesses, and social agencies to address critical needs, and a focus on a unified effort to solve problems.

Partnership: Your department has joined with other police agencies as part of a cooperative arrangement with the Criminal Justice Department at Michigan State University. At this point in time focus group interviews have been held with both management and union members regarding the issues that need to be considered in your department. The Organizational Survey is the next step in this process. The survey was developed to capture the perceptions of police personnel in your agency regarding various characteristics of community oriented policing that may or may not be relevant to your agency.

The information you provide on the survey is confidential and anonymous. Only members of the research team from MSU will have access to individual survey responses. The answer sheets will be placed onto a computer disk for analysis. Responses will be aggregated to form a composite report. Only the composite reports will be shared with each police agency. These summary reports can then be used to examine the issues faced by your department.

Completion of the Survey: To complete the survey, simply fill in the circles next to the questions using the rating scale below:

______________________________________________________
1                       2                         3                    4                       5

Strongly                               Neither agree                               Strongly
Disagree                                nor disagree                                 Agree
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Thank you for your time and effort in completing this survey.

Part I

Please answer the extent to which you agree (or disagree) with each of the statements listed below using the following scale:

[1] Strongly Disagree       SD
[2] Disagree                      D
[3] Neutral                        N
[4] Agree                          A
[5] Strongly Agree           SA

If an item does not apply to your job please leave it blank.

Part II

The following questions concern your policing practices. Please indicate the extent to which you participate in the following activities. Use the rating scale listed below:

[1] I Never participate in this activity (N) [4] I Regularly participate in this activity (RG)

[2] I Rarely participate in this activity (R) [5] I Very Frequently participate in this activity (VF)

[3] I Sometimes participate in this activity (S)

If an item does not apply to your job please leave it blank.

Part III

The following questions concern the issues facing the community you patrol. Please indicate the extent to which you encounter the following community issues. Use the rating scale listed below:

[1] I Never encounter this problem (N) [4] I Regularly encounter this problem (RG)
[2] I Rarely encounter this problem (R) [5] I Very Frequently encounter this problem (VF)
[3] I Sometimes encounter this problem (S)

If an item does not apply to your job please leave it blank.

Part IV
Demographic Information

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

102. Rank:

103. Gender:

104. Years in law enforcement:

105. Years in this department:

106. Race:

107. Do you reside in the town where you work?

108. What is your level of education?

109. What was your major field of study?

110. As part of your formal education did you receive training in Community Oriented Policing?

111. Does your department have a specific position or assignment such as "Community Police Officer" or the equivalent of this position?

112. Have you ever served as a Sector/Community Police Officer or equivalent position?

113. If you answered yes to question 112, how many months have you held the position?

Please indicate your department______________________________________________

Please indicate the size of the area that you patrol________________________________

Please indicate your current assignment________________________________________

Additional Comments: ____________________________________________________

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Thank you for your participation

This survey is being funded by the Department of Justice:

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Grant No. USDOJ 96-CK-WX-0001.