NCJ Number
45530
Date Published
1976
Length
91 pages
Annotation
THE DUTIES AND TASK OF A TRAFFIC PATROL OFFICER ARE LISTED AND METHODS WHICH CAN BE USED TO MEASURE JOB PERFORMANCE GIVEN IN A SERIES OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS.
Abstract
THESE MODEL JOB DESCRIPTIONS ARE THE RESULT OF A TECHNICAL STUDY CONDUCTED FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, APRIL 1976. THEY ARE PRESENTED IN A SERIES OF TABLES WITH ACCOMPANYING COMMENTARY. EACH TABLE DESCRIBES THE DUTY OR TASK, GIVES MEASURES WHICH CAN BE OBSERVED TO EVALUATE PERFORMANCE OF THE TASK, NOTES UNIVERSALITY OF THE TASK, THE DEGREE TO WHICH TRAINING INFLUENCES PERFORMANCE OF THE TASK, AND GRADATIONS OF PERFORMANCE OBSERVED. THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE JOB PERFORMANCE AND TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AS BOTH A COMPONENT OF POLICE PATROL TIME AND AS AN IMPORTANT LAW ENFORCEMENT WEAPON. SEPARATE JOB DESCRIPTIONS WERE DEVELOPED FOR: (1) TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT, (2) ACCIDENT SCENE MANAGEMENT AND INVESTIGATION, (3) TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL, (4) COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE AND PREPARATION OF COURT TESTIMONY, AND (5) MOTORIST ASSISTANCE. EACH DEFINITION IS SUBDIVIDED ACCORDING TO 'DUTY,' 'PRIMARY TASK,' OR 'TASK.' RELATIVE IMPORTANCE IN DEPARTMENTS SURVEYED IN THE FIELD IS NOTED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. PRIORITIES ARE NOT ESTIMATED. (SEE ALSO EVALUATION FACTORS FOR PERFORMANCE OF POLICE TRAFFIC SERVICES TECHNICAL REPORT, NCJ-45529.) (GLR)