Lindsey believes that planning sessions that allow the department to chart out a year's goals are "tried and true" techniques for bringing progress. Lindsey has orchestrated meetings such as this at every department where he has been chief.

Lindsey did not hold this meeting sooner because of his placement on administrative leave by former City Administrator Randy Reed. He wanted to wait "until things had calmed down a bit," Lindsey said.

The meeting began at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning with officers and civilian personnel participation in exercises through which they could voice concerns and suggestions. One exercise gave attendees the opportunity to list both positive attributes of the department and areas that needed improvement. Also, each person was asked to list the improvements they would make if they were the chief of police. Lindsey said that all input (whether written or spoken) was collected or noted and will be taken into consideration. Though 200-plus members of the Police Department staff could not attend the meeting, they will be informed of topics discussed at the meeting.

The meeting concluded at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The ideas from the session will be prioritized, said Lindsey. He gave one top priority concern--enhancement of the Police Department's website. By publishing police reports on the website after they are released to the media, Lindsey believes that civilians and those involved with the department will have easier access to all kinds of information. Lindsey also wishes to implement more services through which the Police Department betters the community, such as the Citizens Police Academy. Lindsey said that the planning session will flourish beyond a collection of ideas into action.