NCJ Number
97513
Date Published
1984
Length
110 pages
Annotation
This second volume of a two-part executive summary describes the second phase of a field test of differential police response in Garden Grove, Calif.; presents the results of the evaluation of this phase and of the initial field test completed in April 1983; and summarizes both volumes of the study.
Abstract
The field test of differential police response was one of three. The postimplementation phase aimed to use the 4 months before other sites' results were complete to examine differential police response as well as other innovative practices from NIJ field tests. Preliminary results had indicated that about 35 percent of patrol officer time would be uncommitted as a result of the changes made in the initial field test. To improve the use of this time, a priority patrol system was established in which eight responses, ranging from immediate dispatch to delayed dispatch or a nonmobile response, would be used. Three police team areas were established, with two using the innovative practices and one using random patrol. For all teams, noncritical calls for services were diverted. Another facet of the program was the use of civilians to write reports. The evaluation focused on the program's impact on police practices, on citizens' attitudes, and on police attitudes. The data obtained revealed citizen satisfaction with the system and showed that the priority patrol, differential police response, and split-force concept has tremendous potential for improving patrol operations. Substantial cost savings may also be possible if all program components are effective and efficient, although the issues of cost and savings have not been fully explored. Data tables and a brief summary of the first part of the executive summary are included.