NCJ Number
184520
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 67 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2000 Pages: 83-89
Editor(s)
Charles E. Higginbotham
Date Published
August 2000
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Recognizing the dangers of employee conflict and workplace violence, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) established an Ombuds Office in 1998 to provide an alternative to a more formal process of handling disputes.
Abstract
To ensure a less formal and more flexible means of resolving conflicts, the Ombuds Office has developed and manages the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. The program has two primary goals: risk management and employee wellness. By providing an effective conflict resolution alternative for employees, the ADR program reduces the potential for employee-generated lawsuits. The Ombuds Office has been highly successful in resolving more than 200 cases using mediation and conciliation, and offers a model for other law enforcement agencies--even those with relatively small staffs and budgets. In addition, the experience of the Los Angeles Police Department indicates that an ombuds office in any jurisdiction should operate by applying two fundamental principles: neutrality and confidentiality. Services provided by the LAPD Ombuds Office are detailed, along with training available for ombuds officers.