New secondary employment policy aims to boost VPD accountability – Vicksburg Post

Institutional Strengthening and Accountability in Law Enforcement: A Case Study

Policy Revision in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16

The Vicksburg Police Department has initiated a significant policy revision concerning secondary employment for its officers, a measure that directly supports the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. By enhancing oversight and clarifying employment hierarchies, the department is actively working to build a more effective, accountable, and transparent institution.

1. Primacy of Public Service: The updated policy mandates that the City of Vicksburg be designated as the primary employer for all sworn officers. This clarification is crucial for ensuring that public safety and civic duty remain the central focus, aligning with SDG Target 16.6 on developing accountable institutions.
2. Enhanced Transparency and Oversight: A new supplemental release form has been introduced. This mechanism grants departmental leadership access to an officer’s performance and disciplinary records from any secondary employing agency, fostering a culture of comprehensive accountability.
3. Resource Integrity: The policy explicitly prohibits the use of any Vicksburg Police Department equipment, official signatures, or other identifying materials during secondary employment. This measure protects public assets and reinforces the integrity of the institution.

Upholding Decent Work and Community Safety (SDG 8 & SDG 11)

This policy reform also resonates with the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By ensuring that the primary law enforcement role is not diluted, the department reinforces the quality and reliability of its public service delivery, which is fundamental to community safety and well-being.

• Commitment to Decent Work: The policy establishes clear boundaries and expectations, preventing potential conflicts of interest and ensuring that the primary employment relationship is secure and well-defined, a core tenet of SDG 8.
• Fostering Sustainable Communities: An effective and dedicated police force is a cornerstone of a safe and sustainable community (SDG 11). The strengthened policy ensures that officer capacity is principally directed towards serving the citizens of Vicksburg, thereby enhancing local safety and security.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The entire focus is on strengthening the internal policies and governance of the Vicksburg Police Department, which is a key public institution responsible for maintaining peace and justice. The article details efforts to “increase oversight,” “shore up the language in the secondary employment policy,” and ensure the department functions as an effective and accountable institution.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The article directly relates to this target. The police department is a local-level institution. The actions described, such as strengthening the secondary employment policy and introducing a “supplemental release form that gives department leadership access to an officer’s disciplinary, schedule and performance records at another agency,” are direct measures to enhance the accountability and effectiveness of the police force. The goal is to ensure the city has proper oversight, making the institution more accountable for its officers’ conduct, both on and off duty for the city.

2. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

   While the context is local, this target’s principle of strengthening institutions to build capacity is highly relevant. By clarifying that “the city of Vicksburg must be the primary employer” and increasing oversight, the department is building its internal capacity to manage its personnel effectively. A well-managed and accountable police force is fundamental to the capacity to combat crime, which is the core function of the institution.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicators for Target 16.6:

  The article implies several indicators that could measure progress toward developing a more accountable and transparent institution:

  • Existence of a revised and implemented secondary employment policy: The article’s central theme is the creation and implementation of this updated policy. Its formal adoption is a clear indicator of institutional reform.
  • Number of officers who have signed the supplemental release form: The article mentions this new form. Tracking its adoption rate among officers with secondary employment would be a direct measure of the new oversight mechanism’s implementation.
  • Number of compliance checks or audits related to the use of city equipment: The policy “prohibits officers from using any Vicksburg Police Department equipment, signatures or identifying items during outside employment.” Monitoring compliance with this rule serves as an indicator of accountability in the use of public resources.

• Implied Indicators for Target 16.a:

  The article implies an indicator for measuring the strengthening of the institution’s capacity:

  • Formal designation of primary and secondary employers in all relevant officer files: The policy now “aligns the fact that if you’re going to have secondary employment, the city of Vicksburg must be the primary employer.” Ensuring all personnel records reflect this clarification is an indicator of strengthened institutional management and control.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vicksburgpost.com