HSPD unorganized, low officer ratio

HIGH SPRINGS – A lengthy press release, issued by the city of High Springs on April 18, summarized the findings of an independent management review and evaluation of the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) by a member of the Florida Police Chief's Association (FPCA). FPCA chose Chief William A. Liquori (retired), a 44 year veteran of law enforcement, to assist the city. Liquori's exemplary experience as Police Chief of Altamonte Springs, Deputy Police Chief of Orlando and Past President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association made him uniquely qualified to perform the assessment.

He spent several days reviewing different aspects of the department including the ratio of officers and staff to the number of citizens they serve, maintenance of employee training records and other record-keeping procedures, departmental structure and written directives. He also met one-on-one with HSPD personnel to determine morale and workflow concerns.

The purpose of the assessment was to provide an independent view of how the department has been operating and to recommend ways in which the city could improve work flow and the department's service to the community.

In his report Liquori suggested items he thought should be addressed. While some of those changes have already taken place or are in the process of being addressed, some require funding decisions, which will not be made until commissioners consider the budget for the next fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1, 2014.

In his report, Liquori states that the national average for police officers is 2.4 officers per thousand population and the state average is 2.3 officers per thousand. Currently, HSPD is at 1.63 officers per thousand population. Even if the department was at full authorized strength, Liquori said the department would still be below national and state averages at 2.18 officers per thousand population.

His report suggests that the city take immediate steps to hire a Chief of Police, allow the reinstitution of the ranks of lieutenant and detective, hire an additional officer and promote one to sergeant, conduct a cost-benefit study of continuing to operate the Dispatch Center locally, and if proven cost-effective, make budget adjustments to compliment, provide a supervisor for all shifts, assign an Internal Investigator and provide proper training in correct process, form a working group to review and update all written directives, hire cleaning staff to maintain the building in a clean and presentable manner and perform an immediate and thorough review of all written directives with technical assistance from FPCA.

A review of the written directives was performed by Liquori while he was conducting his assessment. His report listed changes he saw that immediately needed to be addressed.

He noted that training files were found to be poorly managed and paperwork for firearms qualifications were not correctly filed, although they now have been reorganized.

Vehicle maintenance was listed as an area of concern as police cars exceeded 100,000 miles and broke down regularly. One officer brought a pillow from home to put on the driver's seat because the seat had been worn down to the springs. However, officers revealed that vehicle maintenance has been better addressed under Acting Chief Antoine Sheppard since he assumed the position.

Officers reported that requests for assistance with firearms and taser training had gone unanswered in the past. However, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently providing technical assistance to the department on this issue.

Equipment storage appears to have been a problem in the past as well. An inventory of all equipment and disposal of non-working items was suggested to Liquori by some officers.

In summary, Liquori's report said, “I feel, after interviewing the majority of the employees, they are dedicated, loyal to the department and happy to be employed by the High Springs Police Department.

“If the city of High Springs, FL wants a professional Police Department they must support the Department. They must also hold them accountable through the direction of the City Manager and the Chief of Police."

A copy of Liquori's full written report has been provided to all commissioners, but will be formally presented at the upcoming April 24 commission meeting according to the city's press release.

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