The results of an independent, external investigation of the Mandeville Police Department, commissioned by the Metropolitan Crime Commission, were released during a press conference at Mandeville City Hall Wednesday.

The external examination of the police department is the first ever to have been done in its half-century existence, and retired Louisiana State Trooper Lt. Col. Frank Tridico conducted the audit.

MCC President Rafael Goyeneche recommended the investigation earlier this year after unscrupulous dealings were uncovered concerning the police department, such as the Mandeville Citizen'��s Service Fund'��s Toys for Tots program, the misuse of a police vehicle by a council member during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and '��allegations of improper political influence in a criminal investigation,'�� Goyeneche stated in a letter sent to Price dated May 2.

The findings of an external investigation into the Mandeville Police Department recommended by the Metropolitan Crime Commission were announced at the Mandeville City Hall Wednesday. From left, Frank Tridico, retired Lt. Col. who issued the report, MCC President Rafael Goyeneche, Mandeville Police Chief Tom Buell and Mayor Eddie Price present to answer questions. (Staff Photo by Chad Ruiz)

According to Goyeneche, the investigation was warranted because the department '��has been at the epicenter of controversies involving the executive and legislative branches of Mandeville city government.'��

The 58-page report credits the department with maintaining a '��safe and secure environment with a relatively low crime rate.'�� It also states the 55 employees serving the department, both officers and support personnel, are listed as being dedicated professionals who loyally serve the citizens of the city.

However, the department lacks three main criteria that make up an agency of excellence, Tridico said.

'��The MPD must have solid written policies and procedures, mission accomplishment and as its cornerstone, leadership,'�� Tridico said.

According to Tridico, the current MPD standards manual, last updated between 1994 and 1999, needs immediate revision because of areas within the manual he refers to as vague, redundant and not providing '��a clear understanding of the constraints and expectations relating to the performance of the MPD officer'��s duties.'��

He also said the department fails to have a '��mission statement, organization core values, goals or objectives, vision statement, strategic planning, crime analysis, mutual aid agreements or emergency plans.'��

Tridico added, '��Effective and efficient law enforcement operations is in doubt due to the confusion of a clear mission designed around the pro-active concept of Community Policing.'��

Currently, the department employs a combination of both the Traditional Policing and Team Policing methods, which are outdated and have not been used since the 1960s and 1970s, Tridico said.

'��Police reform has moved agencies into the concept of community policing,'�� he said, adding the model is a pro-active approach enabling the officers to be enforcers, planners, organizers, coordinators and counselors.

Chief Tom Buell agreed with Tridico'��s observation and said it was a mistake for allowing his agency to stray away from the community policing method after Katrina.

The third criterion that Tridico said needs improvement '��is the cornerstone of efficient and effective police services, leadership.'��

He defines leadership as '��influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization.'��

While interviewing employees of the force, Tridico said he discovered '��subordinate leaders lack authority to make decisions and must first clear all decisions with the Chief of Police.'��

This undermines the authority of the department'��s leaders, he said, which ultimately leads to a lack of confidence among the officers.

Some positives the report revealed include the officer to citizen ratio of 3.4 to 1,000, which trumps the national ratio of 2.4 officers for every 1,000 citizens. The agency'��s budget of nearly $5 million was also highlighted. Its high retention rate and crime-clearance rate were also discussed in the report and during the press conference.

After Tridico gave a synopsis of his findings with the entire City Council along with Mayor Eddie Price and Buell watching, he emphasized the MPD can become an agency of excellence by June 2012 using his recommendations.

When asked if the citizens of Mandeville should be worried about their police department, Price simply answered, '��No.'��

City leaders agreed with most of Tridico'��s findings and consented to do everything necessary to bring the force current. The full report can be found at www.metropolitancrimecommission.org.