NCJ Number
38777
Date Published
1974
Length
78 pages
Annotation
THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF THIS PATROL PROJECT WAS TO PROVIDE 24-HOUR-A-DAY, 7-DAY-A-WEEK POLICE PATROL FOR SIX CONTINGUOUS COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN MAINE WHERE SUCH FULL TIME POLICE SERVICE HAD FORMERLY NOT BEEN AVAILABLE.
Abstract
THE SIX COMMUNITIES, WITH A TOTAL POPULATION BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX THOUSAND, COVER A LAND AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 200 SQUARE MILES. THE COOPERATIVE PATROL AREA IS APPROXIMATELY 21 MILES LONG, VARIES FROM 12 TO 6 MILES IN WIDTH, AND IS PRIMARILY RURAL (FARMING-RESIDENTIAL). THE COOPERATIVE POLICE PATROL PROJECT, WHICH UTILIZED CONTRACT SERVICES FROM THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WAS CONDUCTED DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD, OCTOBER 1972 TO OCTOBER 1973. AFTER BRIEFLY DESCRIBING THE OPERATION OF THE PATROL AND ITS RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THIS REPORT EVALUATES THE PURPOSES, DESIGN, AND RATIONALE OF THE PROJECT ON THE BASIS OF EXISTING STANDARDS AND DIRECTIONS IN AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PATROL PROJECT IS ASSESSED IN TERMS OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF STATED OBJECTIVES; COMMUNITY ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS; THE NATURE, QUALITY, AND QUANTITY OF PATROL SERVICES; POLICE ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS; AND A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS. EVALUATORS INDICATED THAT ALL PROJECT OBJECTIVES HAD BEEN MET AND THAT THE PER CAPITA COST OF THE INCREASED PATROL FELL BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX DOLLARS PER YEAR. RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROJECT SERVICES, ORGANIZATION, AND OFFICER TRAINING AND EDUCATION ARE PROVIDED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A COPY OF THE PROJECT EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND PROCEDURES, SAMPLE DAILY COOPERATIVE PATROL RECORDS, AND WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY COOPERATIVE PATROL SUMMARIES....ELW