Strategic Plan Development

The Salem Police Department began creating its first public strategic plan under the leadership of Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack. This three-year framework shows the department’s commitment to improving how it serves the community. The plan’s objectives and initiatives help focus efforts, ensuring resources are used effectively to make measurable progress.

 

How the Plan Was Developed

The strategic plan was created through a combination of internal and external input. Employees and community members shared their ideas, and the department also used recommendations from the 2020 Community Engagement Assessment.

The first plan introduced a new policing philosophy in Salem. It aimed to improve safety, enhance trust in the department and increase the quality of life for residents.

• Read about some of the highlights from the 2022-2024 strategic plan
  
  

The new 2025-2027 plan builds on the progress made in the previous three years. It reflects lessons learned and continues the department’s efforts to adapt to the community’s changing needs.

As Womack explained, "By aligning our daily efforts with long-term goals, we will build on the progress made while adapting to the evolving needs of our community."

 

Mission, Vision and Values

Every strategic plan includes three key elements:

• Mission
  • Defines the purpose of the organization
• Vision
  • Describes what the organization aims to achieve
• Values
  • Lists the principles that guide the organization’s work

To update these elements, the department gathered feedback from employees and the community. Community input was collected during National Night Out block parties, and employees shared their ideas through discussions and surveys.

The following statements were developed based on this feedback:

• Mission
  • Provide superior service to keep Salem safe while enhancing trust
• Vision
  • To be a model for 21st-century policing using effective, innovative and community-informed approaches to improve safety
• Values
  • Collaboration
  • Honor
  • Integrity
  • Compassion

 

Overarching Goals

With the mission, vision, and values in place, the department identified three main goals for the strategic plan. These goals serve as the framework for the department’s objectives:

• Safety
  • Protecting the community and employees
• Trust
  • Building public confidence in the department’s ability to enforce the law effectively and fairly
• Excellence
  • Striving for professionalism, innovation, and modern practices in all aspects of policing

This strategic plan reflects the Salem Police Department’s dedication to continuous improvement and its commitment to serving the community with integrity and care.