 | Steve Jensen
Chief of Police |
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2011 continued the budgetary challenges presented to the Lynnwood Police Department. Staffing
reduction necessitated in 2010 were fully in place for 2011. An additional six officers and detectives
resigned from the Department in 2011 which exacerbated the staffing reduction of 2010. In two years the
Department’s sworn complement declined by slightly more than 20%. Civilian and custody staffing levels
also declined significantly.
These staffing reductions presented the Department with no alternative but to redefine our business plan.
In order to accomplish a measured and considered redeployment of remaining staff and services, the
Department continued management reviews of each division and section initiated in prior years. These
studies analyzed our efforts to serve our community and our effectiveness and efficiency is providing law
enforcement services. As a result of these ongoing reviews we have redirected staff efforts, revised
service levels and redefined performance measurements. All things considered, the Lynnwood Police
Department continues to provide excellent police services albeit in a truncated fashion compared to prerecession
years.
The police department experienced a decline in work load indicators as would be expected in view of
diminished staffing. Additionally, it became necessary to reduce services to the public through reduced
front desk hours, determination of crimes that would not be investigated, alternative reporting mechanisms
and diminished traffic services. Although all organizational units have been subject to staff reductions or
work redistribution we have maintained our focus on emergency service provision. Despite our best
efforts, our response times have climbed and after years of declining crime rates we experienced a minor
increase in crime.
As you would expect, we were challenged by declining morale as our authorized strength plummeted.
The loss of law enforcement capabilities and increased demands on all employees challenged us to remain
positive and dedicated to the law enforcement mission of the Department. Pundits have spent a great deal
of time discussing the “new normal” and the necessity of conforming our organizational thinking and
structure to accommodate our current fiscal limitations. I believe the LPD has been successful in
managing this transition while still seeking to prepare for a hopefully brighter future.
The City of Lynnwood has been experiencing budget reductions since 2006 although the most draconian
reductions occurred in 2010 and succeeding years. Through this difficult period our employees
maintained their professional performance and our Department’s dedication to “striving for excellence.”
In my 2010 address for the post department annual report I wrote: “We are hopeful that 2011 marks a
significant transition to economic recovery that will allow the City to regain a secure financial footing.”
While this hope did not meet complete realization I do feel that strides have been made. We remain
hopeful that the next several years will render a brighter future for the City of Lynnwood.
Chief Steven J. Jensen,
Lynnwood Chief of Police
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