Evaluation Report –

Police Commission Gives Its New Chief High Marks

By Andrew Gorosko

In its annual job performance evaluation of Police Chief Michael Kehoe, Police Commission members laud his leadership of the police department, terming his work as chief  “outstanding.”

The evaluation, which was endorsed by the Police Commission July 3, covers the period July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2001. During the last 45 days of the review period, Mr Kehoe was police chief. During the preceding 320 days he had been the acting police chief.

Based on the content of the evaluation, Police Commission members obviously are pleased to have Chief Kehoe heading the police department, complimenting him on his work in many areas.

Mr Kehoe, 45, has risen through the police department’s supervisory ranks rapidly. The commission promoted him to the rank of sergeant in July 1997. He became a police captain in March 1999.

In July 1999, when the Police Commission placed former police chief James E. Lysaght, Jr, on administrative leave for unsatisfactory job performance, the commission placed then-Captain Kehoe in charge of the police department. After the commission terminated Mr Lysaght in March 2000, it named Capt Kehoe as the department’s acting chief in April 2000.

Mr Lysaght challenged his termination in court, but a judge decided last April that the Police Commission was justified in firing him. Immediately after Mr Lysaght’s appeal period on that court decision expired, the commission named Mr Kehoe to the post of police chief.

In a summary of Chief Kehoe’s job performance evaluation, Police Commission Chairman James Reilly writes, “Chief Kehoe’s performance of his duties has been outstanding.”

Mr Reilly writes that Chief Kehoe’s reports to the commission have been concise, comprehensive, and timely, allowing the commission to make decisions with sufficient information and time for deliberation. “Requests for information have been promptly fulfilled. The [commission] relies on his advice and trusts his judgment,” Mr Reilly writes.

The chief has effectively administered major police department projects, Mr Reilly adds, pointing to the replacement of the department’s computer system, the installation of mobile computers in police cars, renovations to the police station interior, and work on creating a combined emergency dispatch center in the police station.

“The department’s budget has been carefully controlled and has been administered efficiently. This was accomplished through careful management and leadership. Budget transfers and encumbrances have been well documented and completed in a timely manner. A high level of cooperation with the finance department is evident,” Mr Reilly adds in the evaluation.

Chief Kehoe has modified budgeting and accounting categories to provide a clearer picture of police department spending, Mr Reilly writes. The chief also has sought grants and cooperative programs with other law enforcement agencies to promote local highway safety, Mr Reilly adds.

Summarizing the Police Commission’s assessment of Chief Kehoe’s performance, Mr Reilly writes,  “While the chief has successfully utilized many management skills, it is his leadership that has produced a cohesive work force. This leadership is evident in two important traits. He has confidence in his subordinates and delegates duties to them. This has allowed his managers and supervisors to develop their own skills and have a stake in the department’s success. Secondly, the chief addresses problems quickly and takes corrective action promptly. His decisions are formed from his open communications with his co-workers.”

The Police Commission’s glowing assessment of Chief Kehoe’s managerial abilities is in sharp contrast to the commission’s progressively more negative evaluations of Mr Lysaght’s performance before his termination as chief. The commission hired Mr Lysaght as chief in July 1996.

Review

In the review, commission members state that Chief Kehoe has accomplished the three basic goals they had set for him last August, when it reviewed him in his capacity as acting chief. Those goals are to maintain a stable work environment; to improve budget controls; and to improve police department morale.

The Police Commission gives Chief Kehoe high marks in the areas of leadership, management of resources, budget administration, and initiative.

Also, the commission gives Chief Kehoe high grades in the areas of supervision of people; creative ability; attention to costs; communication ability; delegation of authority; problem solving; job knowledge; planning and organizing work; and leadership.

The commission sets two broad goals for Chief Kehoe for the coming year.

The commission wants the chief to develop and implement plans to use the police department’s resources effectively and efficiently to complete the department’s mission.

Also, the commission wants Chief Kehoe to keep the commission fully informed about police department operations, especially concerning the department’s effectiveness and its budget.

Chief Kehoe’s current salary is $72,500 annually. Chief Kehoe, who started work as a patrol officer in 1978, served as the department’s youth officer and school resource officer before becoming a sergeant. He lives with his wife and family in Watertown.