Nashville, Tennessee, Police Organizational Change Project

During July 1991, ILJ assisted the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department in the formation of a Total Quality Management work group of mid-management level personnel, both sworn and civilian, to identify and address critical problems within the department. With ILJ facilitating meetings and assisting in the identification of issues, the work group addressed several major organizational issues cutting across the existing bureau structure. The chief of police, with the consent of the mayor and council, implemented a basic restructuring of the department proposed to him by the work group. The reorganization eliminated one of the department's five bureaus and two ranks from its rank structure. The work group also dealt with other major issues facing the organization, such as developing a new career plan, staffing and efficiency of all units, accreditation, and new policies.