NCJ Number
67239
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 47 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 58-61
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE DADE COUNTY SAFETY DEPARTMENT (FLORIDA) DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE COURT LIAISON PROGRAM FOCUSING ON PRINCIPLES OF PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTING IN MANPOWER RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND CONTROL IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Abstract
TO IMPROVE WITNESS SCHEDULING, THE DEPARTMENT USED LEAA FUNDS TO DESIGN A WITNESS INFORMATION SYSTEM THAT PROCESSES THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION CONCERNING EACH WITNESS. THIS SYSTEM HAS HELPED TO REDUCE PAID OVERTIME AND NONPRODUCTIVE DUTY TIME BY ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY COURT APPEARANCES. A QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO REDUCE CASE DISMISSALS. THE PROCESS INVOLVES SCREENING ARREST AFFIDAVITS FOR ELEMENTS OF PROBABLE CAUSE, (DONE BY THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND TWO SERGEANTS FROM THE COURT SERVICES BUREAU), REPORT WRITING TECHNIQUES, DOCUMENTATION OF CHAIN OF CUSTODY, AND COMPILATION OF COMPLETE VICTIM AND WITNESS INFORMATION. A PROGRAM WAS INITIATED FOR THE SERVICE OF CRIMINAL PROCESS, WITH A COURT SERVICE OFFICER WHO SERVES AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT AND THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE. EXPERIENCED SERGEANTS PERFORM FUNCTIONAL SUPERVISION, MONITORING TESTIMONY OF DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES AND CONSIDERING THEIR APPEARANCE, DEMEANOR, AND PRESENTATION. LIAISON SERGEANTS ALSO LEND ADVICE, SUPPORT, AND ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYEES AND ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND ARE NOT KEPT WAITING IN COURT. LIAISON PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO COURTROOM DUTY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROTECTION OF ALL PERSONS IN THE COURTROOM, CHAMBERS, AND ADJACENT HALLWAYS, AND THUS HAVE IMPROVED COURT SECURITY. FREQUENT MEETINGS AMONG LIAISON PERSONNEL, PROSECUTORS, AND COURT CLERKS ARE CONDUCTED TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREAS, AND INSERVICE TRAINING IS OFFERED WHEN NEEDED. THE PROGRAM HAS RESULTED IN MORE EFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF ONDUTY PERSONNEL, IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS, AND SUBSTANTIAL DOLLAR SAVINGS BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF UNNECESSARY COURT APPEARANCES. COORDINATION OF INFORMATION CONCERNING REQUIRED REPORTS, WITNESS AVAILABILITY, AND ARREST PROCEDURES HAS LED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF OFFENDER PROSECUTION AND TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. (MHP)