One of the most important hallmarks of an effective law enforcement agency is the presence of a robust – and ideally independent – police monitoring and oversight agency. Have you implemented one yet? What about the department’s Internal Affairs division? Is it functioning effectively in establishing clear police enforcement standards and enacting discipline, where necessary?
Or has a crisis – such as illegal behavior by police officers, the loss of community trust, inadequate use of force policies or poor weapons training – already placed the agency on the defensive? Well before reform mandates are imposed upon a local police jurisdiction by federal courts and other authorities, our law enforcement consulting team can play a crucial third-party role in many ways.
Assessment of Ethics, Governance and Police Oversight Agencies
Hillard Heintze conducts independent assessments of ethics, governance, ombudsman or other oversight panels, councils and functions. This usually includes a detailed review of program’s planning, operations, resources, activities and impact on the organization. Key focus areas can include adherence to independence and objectivity, broader evaluations of overall program effectiveness, and neutral, third-party reviews on issues of contention among stakeholders such as the program’s leaders, the parent organization, legislators, employees and the general public or other constituencies.
Collaborative Agreements, Reform Support and Assistance
We can assist in the negotiation and implementation of collaborative agreements and alternative approaches to resolving lawsuits or satisfying jurisdictions that desire quick and cooperative resolutions. This can include, for example, development of strategies highly palatable to cities and police departments because the language typically evokes a spirit of cooperation from the beginning. Or it could take the form of support in determining and overseeing voluntary actions that can “head off” consent decree mandates by enhancing current operations or developing a Memorandum of Agreement with the police oversight authority. Our experts also provide assistance beyond the police monitoring role defined in a decree with support in advancing compliance rather than just evaluating efforts. In short, we can help facilitate the reform process itself, accelerate satisfaction of decree requirements and integrate the steps necessary to incorporate decree requirements into part of a broader reform agenda.
Internal Investigations and Caseload Management Support to Police Agencies
We also conduct – as an authorized, external representative of the agency – internal investigations for departments such as Internal Affairs or matters such as constitutional policing, police user of force, civil rights violations, bias-based policing or employee conduct. Includes wide range of outsourced services from case intake, investigation, documentation and reporting to recommendations on internal process improvement.
Office of Inspector General (OIG) Support Services
Our experts can also provide strategic recommendations and OIG program support on establishing a strong, independent and sustainable Inspector General function. We address factors such as mission and authority, leadership, strategy, funding and budgets, policies and protocols, core process design, staffing, reporting and metrics, among others. Where appropriate, we also accept appointment as the organization’s Inspector General on a permanent or interim basis or can deliver transitional or ongoing support to existing Inspector General in conducting any or all facets of audits, investigations, inspections and evaluations. Alternatively, we can leverage our relationships and credentials across the nation’s security and justice community to search for qualified candidates, vet their suitability and interest, and support the interview and engagement process from introduction to contract.