In 1973, the City of Mercer Island underwent a change. A Department of Public Safety was created that altered the structure of the Police and Fire Departments. The problem is that since its inception, no formal evaluation of the original goals or of the institutionalization of Mercer Island Public Safety Organization has been implemented. The purpose of this applied research project was to evaluate the Mercer Island Public Safety structure. An examination of the original goals, identifying what was modified and why those items were chosen, and an examination of how different members of the Mercer Island Department of Public Safety have embraced this organizational structure, was conducted.The intent was to identify the areas of success and areas needing improvement, thereby using the research project to provide a foundation from which to improve the organization and the services provided by the Mercer Island Department of Public Safety.Both evaluative research, through the use of a survey, questionnaires and interviews, and descriptive methods were used to answer the following questions: BL What were the original goals of becoming a Department of Public Safety? BL What aspects of the Mercer Island Police and Fire Department structures were modified and why were they chosen? BL What effects in attitudes has the Public Safety organizational structure had within the participant groups and to what degree have participants of the Mercer Island Public Safety model embraced the change? The literature review indicated that there are numerous reasons for consolidation that vary from organization to organization. Additionally, identifying the parts of the organizational structure that are modified and the purpose of that modification are also unique to a jurisdiction, dependent of local factors.The research also indicates that institutionalization in organizations has had mixed results. Some agencies have experienced success, while others have not. The questionnaire and interview indicated that Mercer Island's results fit the patterns found in the research. Mercer Island's goals and objectives were based on local dynamics. Additionally, the type of consolidation followed the original goals and objectives; however, few Mercer Island Public Safety employees know what the original goals and objectives of consolidation were. The survey results indicate that some employees agree with parts of the consolidation structure and not with others. The questionnaire also indicates that institutionalization has not been achieved at Mercer Island. The recommendations include a review of the original goals and objectives--to learn what areas of success have been achieved, and what areas may need alteration.Furthermore, it is recommended that further analysis of the effect on the separate services be conducted in order to determine the impact of the consolidation on the police and fire services, and the respective employee groups.