6: Introduction of Action Research and the First Project

As the data gathering began through the interviews, meetings, and unscripted interactions, I began sharing the information with the acting leaders in the department and we began having internal discussions about the significant amount of change that was reshaping the police department, the field of policing, and the community. Consensus grew from these discussions that our department had an opportunity to make deep transformational change within the department and potentially address many of the operational and social concerns that were tearing the country apart. The question that was on everyone’s mind was “How do we do it?” Through a series of discussions, I began sharing examples of implementing OD principles that had been successful in another department I had worked for. As I shared these experiences from my past police change efforts, I began experiencing a very mixed response from the leaders and acting leaders. They would almost always listen politely, but as soon as possible tell me an example or story about the current department. Their stories in many cases were directly related to the topic I was describing but reframed into what was happening at the current time in this department.