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Sedona council adopts 2026'2029 police strategic plan after consultant presentation and public comment
Summary
After a consultant review and public comment both praising and criticizing the department, the Sedona City Council voted to adopt a three-year strategic plan for the police department focused on communication, staffing, technology and leadership development.
The Sedona City Council voted to adopt the Sedona Police Department's 2026'2029 strategic plan after a presentation by consultant Jared Beguin of the Center for Public Safety Management and public comment that included both criticism and support.
The plan lays out five principal goals: improve organizational transparency and communication; strengthen internal planning and processes; enhance leadership and employee development; modernize systems and infrastructure; and increase organizational stability through data-driven staffing and retention strategies. Beguin said the plan draws on a confidential employee survey, one-on-one and group interviews and a SWOT analysis of the department.
"We intentionally structured this in phases designed to promote engagement, transparency and organizational ownership," consultant Jared Beguin said, describing the mix of data collection and staff workshops that informed the plan. Beguin told the council the consultant team reached about 60% participation in the employee survey after follow-ups and combined those responses with interviews and workshops.
Chief Foley said the plan reflects work already underway and identified communication, retention and technology as top near-term priorities. "Communication right away," she said, adding that the department would work with the city communications team to provide a stronger, timelier voice for the PD and to develop internal feedback loops for employees.
Council members pressed the consultant and chief on implementation details, including which objectives should be prioritized in year one, how ownership would be assigned and whether additional staffing or outside contractors would be needed to keep the plan moving. Beguin recommended assigning owners for each priority, establishing regular progress reviews, and reserving outside facilitation for heavier-lift items.
Public comment during the agenda item produced a range of views. Tim Perry criticized the plan and the department's record, calling the document a "snow job" and raising concerns about alleged past misconduct, fees for public records and expanded drone use. Maria, a former California law-enforcement officer who identified herself as a Sedona resident, called the recommendations sound and urged the council to support the department. Jen Baldner urged stronger protections for employees and clearer, consistent transparency.
Councilmember (speaker 17) moved to approve the strategic plan and the motion was seconded by Councilmember (speaker 7). The chair then called for the ayes and declared the plan adopted. The council asked staff and the chief to return with a refined year-one implementation plan and recommended reporting back within 60'90 days, with quarterly updates early in the implementation.
What happens next: Chief Foley said leadership would refine the year-one priorities within 30 days and pursue facilitated planning work within 60'90 days to create task-level owners, timelines and reporting cadences.
The presentation, public comment, and council discussion are part of the official record.
