The Webber Seavey is law enforcement’s most prestigious international recognition for innovative community-based law enforcement programs. Sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Motorola, the Webber Seavey Award honors the department for the Integration of Community Policing into Investigations. In 1998, organizational structure and inefficiencies were thwarting the department’s efforts to aggressively implement community policing in its Investigations Division. A complete analysis of the division was conducted using internal surveys, focus groups and data collection, along with external surveys of citizens and stakeholders.

Based on nine specific issues identified, three goals were developed: 1) create a structure to increase productivity, 2) create a professional environment, and 3) implement community policing strategies. The division was restructured to support specialization, the working environment improved, and citizen involvement increased. Results have been dramatic. Homicide clearance rates improved from 81 percent to 107 percent in one year, and robbery clearances improved from 39 percent to 48 percent.

"I’m very proud of the detectives and supervisors assigned to the Investigations Division for their effort in this project," said Deputy Chief Stephen Cole who was serving as Commander of the Investigations Division during the formulating and implementation of this project.

"The commitment and creativity of the detectives and supervisors was critical to successfully integrating community policing into the Investigations Division. Their success in this project serves as an example for departments across the country who strive to fully incorporate community policing into detective work."

The IACP and Motorola formally announced the department’s selection at the IACP’s recent 107^th Annual Conference in San Diego. IACP President Col. Michael D. Robinson, director of the Michigan State Police; Jim Sarallo, Motorola senior vice president and general manager, North America Group; and Tom Frazier, director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) for the U.S. Department of Justice, made the award announcement and presentation to Chief Norman Williams and Deputy Chief Cole.

"The Wichita Police Department members appreciate this recognition from Motorola, as well as their commitment to law enforcement," said Chief Williams.

"This award illustrates the commitment of the members of the Police Department to providing quality law enforcement services to our community. We are very fortunate to have the resources and support of our citizens, the Mayor, the City Council, and the City Manager," said Chief Williams.

The police department was selected by a panel of 10 law enforcement executives from more than 200 program nominations from departments around the world.

The project judges evaluated all of the law enforcement programs nominated against five criteria:

• their impact on improving services available in the community;

• how they strengthened police relations with the communities the agencies served and whether the programs promoted greater community participation in local law enforcement activities;

• how effectively available resources were used;

• whether the programs enhanced communications within, and cooperation among, local law enforcement agencies; and

• the creativity of the approaches developed and whether they raised the quality and effectiveness of law enforcement services provided.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police is the world’s oldest and largest non-profit association for law enforcement executives. Established in 1893, the IACP has more than 18,000 members representing 101 nations. The IACP is headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions.