Go for the "better" solutions, not just the "best" solutions

How do we get to be the “best?” How do we get to be “THE” premier law enforcement agency in the nation? We get there through continuous, gradual improvements you can make after reviewing and updating processes. This can range from things as simple as organizing the trunk of your patrol car, or learning ways to organize your emails, to large department wide initiatives such as Intelligence Led Policing, such as the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) projects. When making things “better”, it’s natural to try and make the process the absolute “best,” all at one time. But sometimes the “best” solution may rely on long term, strategic solutions or involve resources outside of our immediate control. These solutions can sometimes take months or years to put into action. This is the point where enthusiasm and reality collide. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t keep from trying to make a process “better” just because the “best” solution is not immediately attainable. Remember, a little better is still better. Put the easy fixes in place today, all the while keeping your sights on the long term goals that coincide with being the “best.” Continuous improvement is after all ... continuous.

About the Author: William "Billy" Wilkerson is a Police Sergeant with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and 20 Year veteran with the Florida Air National Guard. He is currently assigned to Sheriff's Office Continuous Improvement Division and also supervises the Staff Inspections Unit. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has been using Lean Six Sigma to streamline many of its processes for the past several years to much success. Billy has also been assisting with the Florida Air National Guard's rollout of their CPI Program (Continuous Process Improvement). Billy can be found on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/in/billywilkerson or by email at 7388wtw@gmail.com .