NCJ Number
108535
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1987) Pages: 216-225
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article examines the costs and benefits of police-fire department consolidation within the context of the Durham, N.C., decision to discontinue its consolidated public safety department after 14 years of operation.
Abstract
The Durham case illustrates that, while many of the benefits of consolidation are real, equally real are adverse effects and management problems. Although consolidation can result in economies and improved fire response times, it can also result in antagonism between police and firefighters, resistance from firefighters, longer shifts, and inadequate firefighting training. In Durham, political issues and mismanagement and lack of coordination also contributed to the demise of the public safety department. The Durham case illustrates problems with partially combined departments and highlights the problems that can arise when insufficient attention is given to strong management, rank-and-file support, minority recruitment issues, evaluation of effectiveness, and the nuances of urban politics. The Durham case also emphasizes the importance of community support of consolidation and the need to document effectiveness of services. 30 references.