City Seeks Analysis of Roanoke Police Department As Agency Faces Staff Shortage, Lawsuits

Roanoke's police department seeks to be "more responsive and nimble," the city manager said.

Roanoke is seeking an outside consultant to investigate how the police department can become more nimble. RAMBLER FILE PHOTO

Roanoke is seeking a consultant to do a top-to-bottom analysis of how well the city’s police department is doing its job.

The city’s request for an “organizational assessment” comes at a time when the department is facing severe short staffing, active discrimination lawsuits and the recent departure of two top leaders, whose positions have not been filled permanently.