Public Service Perspective
Beyond technical skills and academic knowledge, the MPA program has emphasized the importance of accountability, transparency, responsiveness, and equity as guiding principles for public administrators.
I have learned that a strong public service perspective requires balancing efficiency with fairness, and results with relationships. Through both coursework and professional experiences, I have come to see how ethical reasoning and a commitment to inclusion shape the legitimacy and effectiveness of government and nonprofit institutions. Whether exploring open government initiatives, examining strategies to reduce food insecurity, or considering equity in workforce development.
This competency highlights my dedication to ensuring that public administration is not only about solving problems but also about advancing justice, building trust, and fostering stronger connections between institutions and the communities they serve.
Organizational Audit of the LAPD
This organizational audit of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) evaluates its mission, values, ethics infrastructure, and recent misconduct scandals. Cases reviewed include falsified gang reports, misuse of city funds in the helicopter program, and corruption within the SWAT team. These examples highlight systemic issues in ethics, accountability, and organizational culture. The paper assesses internal and external controls, arguing that reforms such as ethics workshops, stronger oversight, transparent data systems, and more specific codes of ethics are necessary for restoring trust and legitimacy.
Completing this audit helped me reflect deeply on the ethical responsibilities of public administrators, especially those working in organizations with high power and public visibility. Reviewing cases of misconduct within the LAPD made clear how organizational culture, oversight structures, and leadership decisions shape public trust. This assignment strengthened my understanding of how essential transparency, accountability, and community-centered values are to effective public service. It also reinforced my belief that ethical leadership must be proactive, not reactive, and that real reform requires sustained commitment over time.
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When User Fees Become Taxation: The Hidden Burden on Low Income Households
The paper reviews affordability assessments showing water and sewer fees in New Jersey exceeding reasonable thresholds for low-income households, creating risks of exclusion from essential services. It also evaluates policy solutions, such as including user fees under the state’s 2% property tax cap to increase transparency and fairness and proposes leveraging existing eligibility programs (like SNAP or Medicaid) to automatically apply discounts and reduce administrative burdens. Ultimately, the paper argues that transparent, equitable fee structures are essential to protect vulnerable populations, strengthen trust, and uphold fairness in public finance.
This assignment opened my eyes to how easily fiscal policy can unintentionally harm vulnerable residents if equity is not prioritized. Examining the regressive impact of user fees deepened my understanding of how structural financial decisions shape access to essential services. I realized how important it is for public administrators to consider not only efficiency, but fairness, affordability, and long-term community welfare. This paper reinforced my commitment to advocating for transparent and equitable revenue systems that do not disproportionately burden low-income households.
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