SLO "Mentoring" ... making sure a transition goes smoothly

In response to concerns that knowledge a Senior Lead Officer (SLO) gains while working in a community not be lost when a new or replacement SLO comes on board, the Department has devised a plan called the "SLO Mentor Program."

There will be an overlap of at least two weeks, during which the new SLO may be introduced to the community, and how it works, by the outgoing one. Senior Lead Officers have a unique perspective and relationship to both the residents and to the officers on the Basic Cars.

They are generally seen as essential to local neighborhood community based policing efforts, setting up and attending Neighborhood Watch programs, establishing Block Captains, Problem Solving, supervising the Basic Car to which they're assigned, and maintaining ongoing relationships with community members through use of their cell phones.

SLOs are important officers in the community, and often times the single LAPD personnel member a resident knows by name.

This Mentoring Program will help ease the transition from a familiar, outgoing SLO to a new Senior Lead Officer ... for both the Department and the community.

Here's how the program will work:

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE

N O T I C E 1.1.1
July 9, 2002

TO: All Sworn Personnel

FROM: Chief of Police

SUBJECT: SENIOR LEAD OFFICER MENTOR PROGRAM

Senior Lead Officers (SLOs) hold a unique position within an Area and in their community. They drive problem-solving efforts undertaken by the Basic Car and engage in wide ranging and significant community partnerships. When a SLO leaves an Area, a significant void is inevitably created. To minimize the loss of momentum in problem-solving efforts and to provide continuity to community partnerships, the Department is initiating the Senior Lead Officer Mentor Program.

The Senior Lead Officer Mentor Program has two components:

· SLO Transition
· SLO Mentoring

SLO Transition - The SLO Transition component is being introduced in recognition of the inherent challenge of enabling outgoing and incoming SLOs to work together for even a brief time. When they do so, a smoother, more seamless transition between SLOs results. Commanding Officers will loan their new employee (the departing SLO) back to the Area from which they came for a period of two weeks.

During this period, the departing SLO will assist his or her replacement by reviewing current problem-solving efforts, facilitating introduction to Basic Car officers and community partners, and orienting the incoming SLO to the Area. In those instances in which compliance with the SLO Transition component will create a significant deployment hardship, the circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the bureau commanding officer representing the officer to be loaned.

SLO Mentoring - SLO Mentoring is intended to provide aspiring SLOs with exposure to the role of the SLO. Selected officers shall be partnered with SLOs and given an opportunity to participate in problem-solving and community mobilization efforts. In addition, the selected officer shall work with an Area's Problem Solving Team or, in the absence of such a unit, participate in the intake and tracking of community crime trends and quality of life issues.

Commanding officers shall loan interested officers to the Area's SLO detail for one Deployment Period (DP). Officers interested in this temporary assignment should submit an Employee's Report, Form 15.7, to the Area commanding officer. Selected officers should possess an interest in problem solving and have a history of working effectively with Department employees and the community. Participation in the Senior Lead Officer Program does not guarantee future selection as a SLO.

Area commanding officers shall take the necessary steps to implement both the SLO Transition and Mentoring components within their command no later than DP No. 8 (July 28-August 24, 2002). Area commanding officers shall monitor the status of SLOs within their command and facilitate the advertisement of a replacement as soon as feasible. In those instances in which a SLO is nearing promotion to the rank of sergeant, consideration must be given to the mandate that all personnel attend Supervisory Development School prior to field deployment as a sergeant.

Questions regarding the SLO Mentor Program may be directed to:

Commander Jim McDonnell, Special Assistant
213 / 485-2985
or Sergeant Vic Dennis, Community Policing Unit
213 / 847-4882

MARTIN H. POMEROY
Chief of Police