NCJ Number
214642
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 73 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2006 Pages: 48-52
Date Published
May 2006
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article outlines six steps in planning and implementing a team-building workshop (TBW) for a police agency.
Abstract
The first and most important step in planning a successful TBW is determining what is to be accomplished. The objective should focus on developing a team approach for addressing issues likely to have the greatest impact on the department. The selection of issues should take into account the time frame for the TBW and the ability of the staff to deal with complex issues. Intermediate objectives might include getting the sergeants more involved in determining the organization's direction, helping commanders develop team management in their divisions, and providing the opportunity for staff to know one another better. The second step is to begin planning the TBW well ahead of the starting date. This is necessary because the planning stage requires time to assess the current state of the department and its future direction, as well as the identification of ways to measure the success of the TBW. The third step is the selection of the right facilitator for the TBW. There are a number of effective team-building facilitators. In order to select the right one, other chiefs should be contacted who have conducted TBWs with similar goals. The fourth step is the effective management of the facilitator. This requires consulting with the facilitator prior to the TBW to ensure that the goals of the facilitator reflect the objectives of the workshop. The fifth step is to plan to spend one-third of the workshop working on goals, one-third working in small groups, and one-third of the time socializing. The sixth step involves "follow through and follow up" to ensure that workshop plans are implemented.