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8. As you know, a survey of the Department was recently completed. One of the questions <br />asked "What are the top three internal challenges that will need to be addressed in the <br />next two to five years. " A common theme in the survey showed up as 1) hiring and <br />retention, 2) keeping up with technology, and 3) communication within the department. <br />Please comment on each of these three areas and how you would plan to address these <br />challenges. <br />Captain Katers responded hiring and retention will be an issue in the future. Other agencies have <br />changed their policies on lateral transfers, and on internal candidates and the amount of testing <br />for internal candidates. He said there seems to be a generational difference in the response of a <br />new employee to their employer. He noted when he was hired, he felt like he owed a lot to the <br />employer for getting the job. That does not seem to be the case anymore. He said he would like <br />to have more officers. If there are specialty positions, that would go a long way in retention. He <br />suggested considering veterans, minorities, etc for hiring. He also suggested looking at the <br />hiring processes and consider what could be done to recruit more. <br />Captain Katers noted keeping up with technology will be a challenge. He said one concern is the <br />security of devices. While it is expensive, security technology is necessary. He said his <br />department has good equipment and good training which benefits the department and the <br />community. He suggested the city consider body cameras. He mentioned Anoka County is <br />looking at a new records management system. <br />Captain Katers noted communication within the department is good. The FBI Academy classes <br />taught the need for good communication. He said after he attended those classes, he requested <br />regularly scheduled Sergeant meetings. They are being held, and have been helpful he said. He <br />said both he and Police Chief Way have open -door policies, which is used frequently. He <br />commented there is the possibility of too much communication. He said when he was an <br />investigator, there would be requests from other agencies and he could be flooded with <br />information, and have to filter it out on his own. He said smarter communication is needed; not <br />just more. <br />9. The Police Department survey also referenced the top three external challenges. Things <br />such as: <br />1) The ability to budget for additional officers, <br />2) An increased number of rental properties, <br />3) Increasing drug use in the community and drug related crimes, <br />4) Keeping up with training and the changes in training, <br />5) Maintaining a positive image in light of the negativity that can spread through <br />social media. <br />Please tell us which three challenges you think are the most critical and comment on how you <br />will plan to address them. <br />Captain Katers answered he thinks the most critical of these are positive image, training, and <br />budget. As far as positive image, he said anything that erodes the public trust of the police <br />department is not good. The department needs to be on top of those rumors or at least getting the <br />facts out. Sometimes those questions need to be addressed before they spiral out of control. He <br />City Council Work Session / October 7, 2014 <br />Page 4 of 10 <br />