Medicine Hat Employee Engagement Surveys Infrequent and In Camera Pt 2

Surveys Are Meaningless Unless Meaningful Changes Are Made.

Going back to the 2017 Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) survey of our officers.

Recap

Current Councilor Andy McGrogan was the MHPS Chief then, current Acting City Manager (ACM) Merete Heggleund was the CAO. They had the City’s HR department do the survey instead of an outside agency.

(I have to say that was a dumb idea; I can think of half a dozen reasons why. The chief one is a good leader doesn’t pit departments against each other, not if you want a culture of unity and teamwork.)

Serious allegations of sexual harassment came up. A focus group also discovered there’s a perceived need for females to “prove themselves”.

Other focus groups were cancelled because nobody showed up. Another reason to use an outside agency.

A sample of the findings

- continually need to prove self – ie bar fight – men stand back and watch women to see if they can handle it

- unequal treatment starts during recruitment /overly focused on females ie requested to tell females to “keep legs closed”

- only promoted because you were a female

Focus Group Results

So what did the Chief do after receiving this report?

He said “...you have to remember the survey was anonymous so there was things that were said we don't know what the source is as I said I went to every group talked to everybody to try and get some specifics”

WTF?

That’s the sort reaction I would get from my young children –

“Who snitched on me?”

When you’re told you screwed up, the proper reaction is to admit it. You apologize and mean it. Then, you make meaningful changes.

Did You Know?

The only change made was to the dress code. Officers can now display tattoos, have facial hair. The next step was to do with allowing officers to wear ball caps. (SMH)

Pg 2 of the December 2017 Police Commission Meeting

https://mhpolicecommission.ca/?page_id=24#5-11-2017

Surveys Are Meaningless Without Meaningful Change

Councilor Sharps is the Chair of the Council Employee Committee. I have faith they will make meaningful change happen. I’m going to keep the pressure on until that happens.

#kasosumh #yxh #yxhcitymanager #mereteheggelund #andymcgrogan #MHPS #HR #medicinehat #sexualharassment #dresscode #MHPC #policecommission #yxhCAO #shilasharps