BOCA RATON (FL) - ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT STUDY

• NCJ Number: 44034
• Author(s): J A CHIPPS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 21 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-002-76
• Corporate Author: Public Admin Service
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION, RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND UTILIZATION METHODS, AND MANAGERIAL AND OPERATIONAL PRACTICES OF THE BOCA RATON, FLA., POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE ANALYZED.

Abstract

THE BOCA RATON POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH SERVES A POPULATION THAT INCREASED BY 302 PERCENT BETWEEN 1960 AND 1970 FROM 6,981 TO 29,538, EMPLOYS 96 SWORN OFFICERS, 12 FULL-TIME NONSWORN EMPLOYEES, AND A NUMBER OF CROSSING GUARDS. THE DEPARTMENT'S OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1976-77 WAS $2,648,558, REPRESENTING A 97-PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE 1972-73 BUDGET. THE DEPARTMENT HAS FOUR MAJOR OPERATING UNITS: UNIFORM OPERATIONS; INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS; ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES; AND STAFF SERVICES. EACH BUREAU IS COMMANDED BY A CAPTAIN, WHO REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE CHIEF. DATA ON THE DEPARTMENT'S ORGANIZATION, ACTIVITIES, METHODS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES WERE GATHERED ONSITE FROM AUGUST 30 TO SEPTEMBER 2, 1977. ANALYSIS OF THE DATA LED TO THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS: THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT TOTALLY EFFECTIVE AND CONTRIBUTES TO FRAGMENTATION, SOME DUPLICATON OF EFFORT, AND LACK OF COORDINATION; THE DEPARTMENT'S FAILURE TO DEFINE ITS RESOURCE ALLOCATION NEEDS SYSTEMATICALLY RESULTS IN THE MISUSE OF SOME SWORN OFFICERS; THE DEPARTMENT IS ADEQUATELY STAFFED; AND INADEQUATE RECORDKEEPING DENIES MANAGEMENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE EFFECTIVE DECISIONS ON THE ALLOCATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF PERSONNEL. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BASIC LINE FUNCTIONS BE CONSOLIDATED UNDER AN ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE, WHO WOULD DIRECT AN OPERATIONS DIVISION CONSISTING OF TWO BUREAUS: PATROL AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT USE WORKLOAD ANALYSES AS THE BASIS FOR MANPOWER ALLOCATON DECISIONS, THAT METHODS OF DEPLOYING LINE RESOURCES BE EVALUATED REGULARLY, THAT NONSWORN PERSONNEL REPLACE SWORN OFFICERS IN DUTIES NOT DIRECTLY CONCERNED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THAT THE RECORDS AND REPORTING SYSTEM BE REVIEWED. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS AND SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED.