Following accusations that its existing officer evaluation system constituted a quota system, the department is updating its approach to officer evaluations, according to a press release sent out by OPD’s Lt. William Farr on Monday.

“For years, OPD officers have been evaluated using a comprehensive eight-part system designed to ensure proactive community patrols and timely responses to service calls,” the release noted. “However, recent scrutiny from the public and some state legislators raised concerns that one aspect of Ogden’s performance evaluations could be perceived as a ‘ticket quota.'”

The release adds that the old policy was evaluated by the Utah Attorney General’s Office.

“To address these concerns and reaffirm the Department’s commitment to transparency, the Attorney General’s Office was consulted,” the release said. “Their opinion confirmed that OPD’s practices did not constitute a quota. Nevertheless, the perception persisted among some community members and lawmakers.”

The perception of this quota system also concerned Mayor Ben Nadolski.

“During my campaign, I encountered many questions about this issue, and I became increasingly worried about the safety of our officers and our ability to build trust with those we serve,” he said in the press release.

As a result, Nadolski ordered the department to evaluate an alternative system that would measure productivity and hold officers accountable while avoiding the perception of a quota system.

“After months of research and analysis, the committee recommended retaining the entire evaluation process with one significant revision: the section on law enforcement activities has been updated to ensure that all enforcement outcomes–whether citations, warnings, or field investigations–are weighed equally,” the press release said. “Previously, officers received varying points based on different enforcement outcomes, with citations weighted more heavily than warnings. This led to a perception that officers might be incentivized to issue tickets rather than give warnings. Under the revised framework, all police activities–whether a warrant arrest, a police report, a field interview, or a citation–are now weighed equally. This approach emphasizes officer discretion, encouraging decisions that best meet the situation’s needs, with the overarching goal of enhancing public safety in our community.”

Nadolski commended the revision.

“This new approach ensures that public safety remains our number one focus while also assuring the public that our officers make decisions based solely on what is best for the community,” he said.

In a letter to “Members of the Community,” Weber Fraternal Order of Police President Darick Fisher expressed his support for the new evaluation standards.

“The Administration demonstrated exemplary leadership by collaborating with department members across all ranks and from various bureaus,” he said. “This inclusive approach ensured the development of an evaluation program that is fair and responsive to our community’s concerns. We applaud the Administration for its diligence and commitment to creating a well-balanced system and taking the necessary time to develop a thoughtful and effective evaluation process. We are confident that this program will continue to support our officers in their professional growth and maintain the high standards of service that the Ogden Police Department strives to uphold.”