NCJ Number
14701
Date Published
1974
Length
38 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF A VARIETY OF MEASURES WHICH MAY BE USED TO DETERMINE WHETHER POLICE SERVICES ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED EQUALLY TO TWO SECTIONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Abstract
THE APPROACH DEVELOPED FOR THIS STUDY IS BELIEVED APPLICABLE TO MOST LARGE CITIES. MEASURES THAT ARE DISCUSSED INCLUDE INPUT MEASURES, WHICH RELATE THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS TO THE DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES, AND EFFECTIVENESS MEASURES, WHICH INDICATE WHETHER POLICE ARE ACCOMPLISHING THEIR OBJECTIVES OF CONTROLLING CRIME AND PROVIDING POLICE SERVICES. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUFFICIENT ACCURATE EFFECTIVENESS MEASURES, THE PAPER INFERS POLICE EFFECTIVENESS FROM SOME IMPERFECT INDICATORS OR EFFECTIVENESS. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IS FOLLOWING ACCEPTABLE MANAGEMENT STANDARDS IN ITS METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING POLICE SERVICES BETWEEN ITS RELATIVELY AFFLUENT AREA WEST OF ROCK CREEK PARK AND ITS RELATIVELY POOR ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)