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At the start of each shift, officers attend a roll call briefing where knowledge from other shifts is shared as well as crime analysis data and information coming down through the chain of command. More informally, managers and supervisors maintain open communications among divisions, especially in those areas of mutual or departmental interest. Officers and sergeants are less satisfied with communications up and down the chain of command, and want to have better venues for communicating their views and suggestions. This was not presented as a major issue within the department. However, when officers do not feel they are being fully informed by their commanders, the potential for inaccurate information and erroneous rumors is magnified. Officers do not report any difficulty in the flow of operational information from officer to officer or unit to unit. Crime analysis information is reportedly transmitted in a prompt fashion. Effective communications goes well beyond the flow of operational and administrative details of the moment though. It also considers how the department communicates its mission, goals, expectations, and prohibitions. Immediate and unit goals are fairly well conveyed by supervisors, but several officers suggested that a common area of concern is that the department's mission statement was not widely understood or acknowledged. This is consistent with the opinion of some that too little information flows down. As is the case in all police departments, written directives convey expectations, how things are to be done, and what is prohibited. Officers feel the department's directives, supported and clarified by supervisors, are appropriate and provide the guidance and direction they need to do their job. Recommendation No. 42: Roll call should be better used to communicate information between the executive and line staff within the department. 60