Salinal Police Department
Salina, The All American City
During 1998, Part I crime (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft) decreased an amazing 20% when compared to 1997. While calls for police service declined 11% from 1997’s all time high of 37,351, the quantity and quality of the work product remained extremely high, as evidenced by a 2% increase in arrests and a 20% decrease in Part I crime.
The department continued to use the Resident Satisfaction Survey to keep their thumb on the pulse of the police customer. This survey provided the department the opportunity to discuss problems cited by citizens who were less than satisfied with the service their police department provided. Negative survey responses were followed up with telephone calls, which more often than not solved or lead to solutions to the problems.
By the end of 1999, the decision to appoint Chief James D. Hill as Chief of Police in 1991 was nothing more than a stroke of genius. His team approach to law enforcement, and his leadership and management skills rapidly brought the department into the 21st Century. From overhauling the policies and procedures of the department, to recruiting a diverse group of recruits in order to bring to the city’s police force the best and brightest people available, and upgrading and remodeling the police department facilities, Chief Hill demonstrated that a police chief needs to be more than just the meanest man in the valley.
Once again, in 1999, Part I crime decreased 26% compared to 1998. For the first time during the 1990s, there were no homicides recorded in the city. The department’s contention that Salina is a very safe city in which to live is certainly supported by the crime statistics.