Chief Moose Announces Police Management Reorganization

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Db: polreorg.pr 00-28

Contact: Ann Evans, 240-773-5030
David Weaver, 240-777-6530

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2000

Chief Moose Announces
Police Management Reorganization

Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose today announced a police management reorganization designed to improve services and accountability within the department. The proposed reorganization will abolish the Deputy Chief position, and the merit system Majors who currently manage the three Bureaus -- Field Services, Investigative Services and Management Services -- will be replaced with three non-merit Assistant Chief positions.

"Although I am proud of the many efficiencies in our excellent agency, I believe there are still ways to improve the way we serve the community," said Moose. "Making the three Bureaus more accountable and aligning them to the same vision for the department are critical to providing more efficient and effective services. This flatter organization requires that I be more involved, and I think that that is important. I plan to continue to review the operations and structure of the entire department, but believe that it is critical that change start at the top to assure that no division or individual is exempt from seeking continuous improvement."

Legislation forwarded by County Executive Douglas M. Duncan to County Council President Michael L. Subin this week will create the three new non-merit Assistant Chief positions. In addition, the legislation will eliminate the non-merit civilian Director of Animal Control and Humane Treatment - a position that has been vacant for several years - to allow the role to be permanently handled by a Police Captain. Since 1998, the division of Animal Control and Humane Treatment has been managed by Captain Drew Tracy, and this has resulted in increased operational efficiency and improved staff morale.

"Over the last five months, Chief Moose has analyzed his department's organization and has conferred with me on strategies for improvement. His reorganizational plan makes good sense to me, and I plan to support it in the operating budget that I will be proposing to the County Council in March," said Duncan. "Increasing the efficiency of service delivery as well as organizational and individual accountability within the Police Department will better meet the needs of our citizens - and that's a very good thing."

"The County Council will be taking a close look at the Police Department reorganization proposal as part of this year's Operating Budget," said County Council President Michael Subin, who also is a member of the Public Safety Committee. "Chief Moose has determined that we need to reorganize the department in order to deliver more effective and responsive police service to County residents. The Public Safety Committee and the entire Council will work closely with the Chief."

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