DCS Annual Report 2016 | Page 16

INVESTING IN OUR EMPLOYEES Our performance relies, first and foremost, on our employees. We seek to build the capabilities of DCS staff to help them develop both professionally and personally and to position our agency for future success. This year, we implemented our first Employee Engagement Survey, initiating what we intend will be an ongoing dialogue between DCS leadership and our employees. 91% of DCS employees participated in the survey, and their input will guide initiatives to further strengthen our workplace culture. 150,715 TRAINING HOURS COMPLETED BY SWORN EMPLOYEES IN FY17 16,487 TRAINING HOURS COMPLETED BY NON-SWORN EMPLOYEES IN FY17 THE POWER OF PEER SUPPORT As public safety officers, DCS CSOs place themselves in dangerous situations daily in order to preserve the safety of our communities. This comes at an emotional and psychological cost, especially after a traumatic event. DCS is initiating a program that will enable our officers to easily access support from those who can often best understand the unique pressures an officer faces: peer officers. Insert photo THE LOCAL ADVANTAGE The new DCS Ambassador program deploys a Community Supervision Officer in each district throughout the state to inform and engage media and community members about local community supervision operations. The program helps strengthen community relations and serves as a new professional development opportunity for frontline officers to gain exposure to DCS executive operations. Ten officers were appointed to the inaugural Ambassador cohort. 16 Georgia Department of Community Supervision