Poll Seeks Public Views On Police Performance

By Andrew Gorosko

The police department is conducting an opinion poll to gauge public sentiment on the organization’s performance, with the goals of learning what the department does well and how it could improve.

Police will use the findings of the opinion survey in formulating their next strategic five-year plan, said Police Captain Joe Rios, who is overseeing the poll.

An electronic version of the poll is available online at the town’s website, www.newtown-ct.gov. After reaching that website, computer users may click on the hyperlink for “town departments,” and then for “police,” and click on “community survey.”

The survey may be completed electronically and submitted to the town via the Internet.

Alternately, residents may obtain paper copies of the survey at the police station, the Edmond Town Hall lobby, the Booth Library, the Parks and Recreation office, and the Senior Center. Paper copies of the survey should be returned to the police station at 3 Main Street.

The police department will receive completed surveys until August 21.

Captain Rios explained that the police department is conducting the poll to help it plan how best to expand its level of public service.

“Our goal, with your assistance, is to further develop and implement action plans that will build a stronger community, while strengthening our common bonds of civic trust, professionalism, and cooperation,” according to Capt Rios.

The captain said the police department plans to make a random mailing to residents publicizing the opinion poll’s presence on the Internet.

By analyzing the survey’s results, police will evaluate the public’s needs and better balance the range of services that they provide, the captain said. “This can be a good tool for us,” he said.

Police last conducted such a community survey in 2002.  

The survey contains 25 questions. They include queries on the gender, age range, length of residence, and the section of town within which respondents live. The poll seeks to learn whether respondents have had contact with the police department within the past two years, and if so, under what circumstances. If there was contact, the survey seeks to learn how well police performed.

Other questions concern personal safety, police’s appearance, the local police presence, traffic enforcement, crime, the strengths of the police department, and how it could improve.

Capt Rios said the police department will disclose the results of the opinion poll after compiling and analyzing the responses.