NCJ Number
95709
Date Published
1985
Length
4 pages
Annotation
To examine the operation of selected law enforcement agencies and their respective costs to the community, a 17-page questionnaire was completed by 53 agencies, 55 percent of whom served population of under 100,000.
Abstract
Results indicate that the average number of dispatches per 1,000 population is 715. Agencies exercised discretion in screening calls; dispatches involving priority calls ranged from 3 to 56 percent, with an average of 16 percent. Half used a 911 system while 30 percent used computer-aided dispatch. Over half of all agencies' personnel worked in the patrol division. Patrol cars were in operation an average of 19 hours per day for 321 days per year. Overall car staffing ratio was 1.12 officers per car. Report writing rates varied; 57 percent were traffic reports, 43 percent were crime-related. For every three crime reports, there was an average of one arrest. For investigations, the average disposition rate was 90 percent. For both large and small agencies, 86 percent of the budget went to personnel and fringe costs, while equipment costs accounted for only 4 percent. Sworn officers made up most of agencies' staffs. Smaller agencies tended to equal States' recruit training requirements, while larger agencies tended to exceed them. Large agencies conducted their own recruit training with a 7-percent dropout rate. Smaller agencies relied on outside training and had a 2-percent dropout rate. Results show there is considerable variation in law enforcement administrative practices resulting from variations in local governments and communities and in the administrative discretion afforded officials.