Stakeholder analysis is crucial for effective service delivery by law enforcement officers. Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) plays the crucial role of maintaining law and order during various public events and gatherings. The upcoming Democratic-Republican National Convention poses a major task for MDPD to ensure that all the Americans who attend the gathering are safe and that none of their rights are violated. Elected officials, political leaders, the media and press, event organizers, and advocacy groups are some of MDPD’s stakeholders. The stakeholders interested in the convention will make various claims that MDPD must meet for effective service delivery.
Organization Description
Miami-Dade is one of the most highly populated counties in the U.S., needing security for smooth social and economic activities. MDPD is a county police department that services Miami-Dade which has an estimated population of about 2.7 million residents (Zare et al., 2022). The organization is governmental and has its headquarters in Doral, Florida. As a governmental agency, MDPD has a mission of serving and protecting its community with courage and integrity (MDPD, 2023). Therefore, the agency partners with various stakeholders to realize its mission in the Miami-Dade community.
Key Stakeholders Identification
Internal stakeholders include those who work with MDPD, and the services are of importance to the Democratic-Republican National Convention. Some of the internal stakeholders include U.S. secret service, MDPD sworn officers, MDPD Police Benevolent Association, and criminal justice organizations. Meanwhile, the external stakeholders involve those who operate outside the agency. Business owners, elected officials, politicians, Miami-Dade residents, and human rights organizations, among others, are external stakeholders. The stakeholders are influencers since they persuade MDPD to take various actions during the convention. Given the wide range of stakeholders, they will be categorized into four: local government, the federal government, the public, and businesses as show on figure 1.0.
Stakeholders’ Interests and Concerns Identification
The identified stakeholders have various interests that can be addressed by MDPD. As a political convention, the stakeholders have interests that are similar to MDPD. The federal and local government stakeholders are interested in the safety of the Miami-Dade residents during the convention. The business community and the public are interested in impartial treatment by police officers and their security. Therefore, the stakeholders’ interest that is the most important to MDPD is the enforcement of law and order. Meanwhile, political interests such as who should be the next president or senator are not important to the agency.
Claims that Stakeholders are Likely to Make
The stakeholders involved in the convention are likely to make various claims to MDPD. The public may claim that MDPD is less responsive to their safety needs. Politicians may claim that the agency is not accountable for its actions against its supporters. The business community may accuse the agency of failing to respond to crimes and other emergencies. The claims by the various stakeholders are legitimate given the high population of the area and the increased number of attendees. Failure to consider the claims made by the stakeholders may lead to a loss of public trust in MDPD. Considering them would enhance positive police-public relationships and support from various stakeholders. However, the consideration can be associated with increased operational costs which are unexpected.
Most Important Stakeholders
The public and business persons of Miami-Dade are the most important stakeholders of MDPD. The agency has an explicit constitutional and statutory obligation to maintain law and order in Miami-Dade (Stolzenberg et al., 2019). Another reason why they are the most important stakeholder is that they are the closest community to the agency. The majority of the elected officials are not important because they have private security officers who ensure that they are safe. Moreover, the federal government, through agencies such as the secret service, ensures its officials’ safety (Jennings & Perez, 2020). Therefore, MDPD will protect the residents and businesses that have no other form of security.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
MDPD enjoys various strengths that can be maximized during the convention. The agency has highly trained professionals who deliver services legally and acceptably. The investigative department has sufficient human resources to attend to all claims presented before them. Additionally, MDPD modernized a surveillance system that can help detect abnormalities and criminal activities during the convention. Furthermore, the agency has adopted the community-oriented policing approach which strengthens its relationship with the Miami-Dade residents (Dias & Hilgers, 2020). Taking advantage of the mentioned strengths will allow MDPD to counter any problem faced during the upcoming Democratic-Republican National Convention.
Weaknesses
Although the agency presents various strengths, some manifested weaknesses may encumber effective service delivery. The agency has lost the trust of a section of the residents who have suffered from police brutality. The residents may reject some of the directives given by the agency. Moreover, some MDPD officers have been involved in cases of racism, making it difficult for the stakeholders to cooperate with them (Dias & Hilgers, 2020). Furthermore, high rates of crimes within Miami-Dade present the agency as incompetent in meeting its constitutional obligation to enforce law and order. Effective strategies must be adopted to counter the weaknesses and regain public trust during the convention.
Opportunities
The Democratic-Republican National Convention presents various opportunities for MDPD. Firstly, the convention can help the agency expand its community outreach programs by involving various stakeholders. MDPD officers can be encouraged to focus on building their relationship with the public during the event. Secondly, there is an opportunity to increase funding and resources. The agency can exploit the opportunity by presenting its problems to the elected officials and politicians attending the event (Ozga, 2019). Lastly, MDPD has a chance to regain public trust by effectively executing its role of enforcing safety during the convention.
Threats
Some threats can be detrimental to MDPD’s planning and law and order enforcement activities. Budget cuts and limited resources due to tough measures against the economic conditions can deter effective service delivery. Additionally, the possibility of an increased crime rate in some Miami-Dade areas threatens MDPD’s reputation. An increase in the crime rate associated with limited police resources can result in anarchy. Furthermore, the threat of public scrutiny and mistrust in law enforcement can hinder the agency’s activities. The agency should adopt effective risk management approaches to encumber the threats.
Organizational Strategy
MDPD utilizes the community-oriented policing approach which best addresses the weaknesses and threats. Through this approach, the agency can bring together all the stakeholders and resources in preparation for the events. Involving the stakeholders will help in minimizing the weaknesses of public mistrust and high crime rates since everyone will feel involved in the agency’s decision-making (Dias & Hilgers, 2020). Exploiting the opportunities of expanded outreach programs and possible funding and increased resources can help overcome the threats. While the increased funding will counter the threat of limited resources and budget cuts, collaborating with the public will help avoid the high crime rate in some areas.
Organizational Policy
The upcoming Democratic-Republican National Convention offers MDPD a chance to cooperate and work with all stakeholders. The collaboration will likely work to the benefit of the agency and Miami-Dade residents who are interested in the convention. Therefore, the agency’s fundamental policy should be to gain a competitive advantage. MDPD will regain public trust and an excellent reputation if all the stakeholders are safe. The outcome gives the agency a competitive edge over other police departments, attracting more funds and resources.
Specific Action Recommendation
Various specific actions will help MDPD deliver effective services to its stakeholders. The agency can mobilize needed resources such as surveillance systems that will ensure the public and businesses are protected. Moreover, MDPD can negotiate an agreement with event planners to report those who disobey the law, causing mayhem during the convention. Furthermore, police officers can be encouraged to avoid the use of excessive force when enforcing law and order. Resource mobilization, stakeholder involvement, and adherence to the law are crucial for safety maintenance.
Conclusion
MDPD is one of the county police departments which serves Miami-Dade residents. The agency has a statutory and constitutional obligation to protect the community from any external and internal threats. The upcoming Democratic-Republican National Convention is an opportunity for the agency to maximize its strengths and opportunities to overcome weaknesses and threats. MDPD must enhance its community-oriented approach by mobilizing resources, engaging stakeholders, and acting in a manner that is not forceful to the public.
References
Dias, F.A., & Hilgers, T. (2020). Community oriented policing theory and practice: Global policy diffusion or local appropriation?Policing and Society, 1–9. Web.
Jennings, W. G., & Perez, N. M. (2020). The immediate impact of COVID-19 on law enforcement in the United States. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 45, 690–701. Web.
MDPD. (2023). Miami-Dade Police Department: About us. Web.
Ozga, J. (2019). The politics of accountability. Journal of Educational Change, 21(1), 19–35. Web.
Stolzenberg, L., D’alessio, S. J., & Flexon, J. L. (2019). Eyes on the street: Police use of body-worn cameras in Miami-Dade County. Weston Publishing, LLC.
Zare, H., Meyerson, N. S., Delgado, P., Spencer, M., Gaskin, D. J., & Thorpe, R. J. (2022). Association between neighborhood and racial composition of victims on fatal police shooting and police violence: An integrated review (2000–2022). Social Sciences, 11(4), 153. Web.