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1A – Goals and Mission <br /> <br /> <br />Policy & Procedure Page 2 of 4 <br />PROCEDURES <br /> <br />A. DEPARTMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES <br /> <br />1. Annually, the Lexington Police Department will formulate, update, and distribute <br />to all personnel the written goals and objectives for the Department and each <br />organizational component. <br /> <br />a. Goals will be broad generalized statements of what the agency or <br />component intends to accomplish. <br /> <br />Example: "to decrease the number of personal injury motor <br />vehicle accidents." <br /> <br />b. Objectives are specific and measurable steps, which should lead to the <br />attainment of goals. <br /> <br /> Example: "reduce by 10% the number of accidents at designated <br />high accident locations." <br /> <br />2. Prior to the end of each calendar year, the Chief of Police shall prepare and <br />issue a report outlining the Department's goals and objectives. The report shall <br />include a review of the Department's progress toward achieving the previous <br />year's goals and objectives and will establish new or revised ones for the coming <br />year. <br /> <br />3. The Chief shall require from each division Captain and the Detective Bureau <br />Commander a statement of goals and objectives for each organizational <br />component within their command. These statements should include statistical <br />and narrative progress reports as well as suggestions for goals and objectives in <br />the New Year. <br /> <br />4. Each Division and Bureau commander is strongly encouraged to obtain input <br />and/or permit subordinates to assist in the formulation of unit or departmental <br />goals and objectives. <br /> <br />B. LIMITS of AUTHORITY AND DISCRETION <br /> <br />1. All sworn officers of the Lexington Police Department shall have the <br />legally mandated authority to enforce all laws and ordinances of the <br />Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Lexington within the <br />limits established by the state constitution and the United States <br />Constitution. <br /> <br />2. Discretion by a police officer involves making responsible choices and making <br />decisions within legal boundaries and parameters defined by the Chief of <br />Police and/or Lexington Town Manager. Discretion must be used when <br />enforcing the law because it is beyond the resources of the Town of Lexington