NCJ Number
63699
Journal
Public Management Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 7-10
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS 1977 ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY BEING DEVELOPED IN CINCINNATI, TO PREVENT CITY EMPLOYEES FROM COMMITTING CRIMES OF OPPORTUNITY.
Abstract
CINCINNATI'S CITY MANAGER ESTABLISHED A FIVE-POINT PROGRAM TO DEAL WITH CORRUPTIBILITY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. A THREE-MEMBER INVESTIGATIVE TEAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO LOOK INTO ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING THE MANPOWER AGENCY. ON THE TEAM WERE A VETERAN POLICE DETECTIVE, A MANAGEMENT ANALYST, AND A CITY ATTORNEY WHO DEVELOPED A REPORT DESCRIBING MALFEASANCE AND MISMANAGEMENT IN THE AGENCY AND BROUGHT TO LIGHT PERVASIVE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS. A SECOND TEAM OF ANALYSTS WAS ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT MANAGEMENT AUDIT STUDIES-A PREVENTIVE STEP TOWARDS REDUCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CRIME AND INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY OF CITY EMPLOYEES. THE STUDIES RESULTED IN INCREASED EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUBSTANTIAL COST REDUCTIONS. THE CITY IS ALSO USING PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS TO FOSTER ACCOUNTABILITY, AND IT IS WORKING WITH TWO GRANT PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT. INVENTORY SYSTEMS, MAINTENANCE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS HAVE BEEN INSTIGATED. A TRAINING PROGRAM EVALUATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING TRAINING PROGRAMS AND DEVELOPS A NEW TRAINING PROCESS DIRECTED AT IMPROVING CITY OPERATIONS. THE FINAL STEP IS A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES THROUGH THE USE OF MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES. THESE STEPS, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, SHOULD MOVE CINCINNATI CLOSER TO A SYSTEM THAT DESERVES THE PUBLIC'S TRUST. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 63697-98. (MJW)