FEASIBILITY STUDY OF POLICE CONSOLIDATION IN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK

• NCJ Number: 53318
• Author(s): P F REED
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 57 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: G.W. POST CENTER OF LONG ISLAND (NY) UNIVERSITY MASTER'S DISSERTATION

Annotation

THE PROBLEM OF DUPLICATION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES, AGENCIES, AND TAXATION IS EXAMINED IN THIS STUDY OF POLICE CONSOLIDATION IN NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y.

Abstract

THIS STUDY WHICH INVESTIGATED THE CONSOLIDATION OF SEVERAL SMALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS INTO ONE LARGER DEPARTMENT, THE NASSAU COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, PROPOSED SEVEN HYPOTHESES CONCERNING THE CONSOLIDATIONS: (1) THE OVERALL COST OF OPERATIONS CAN BE REDUCED: (2) A TAX SAVINGS CAN OCCUR; (3) THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTS A DUPLICATION OF COSTS; (4) THE MECHANICS OF A CONSOLIDATION ARE AVAILABLE AND CAN BE ADJUSTED TO PROVIDE FOR A MAJOR CONSOLIDATION OF ALL THE SMALLER DEPARTMENTS; (5) THE OVERALL COST OF OVERTIME PAID TO POLICE OFFICERS WOULD BE REDUCED; (6) THE RANK RATINGS FOR PROPER SUPERVISION, REDUCTION OF POLITICAL INTERFERENCE, AND THE ELIMINATION OF NEEDLESS PATRONAGE POSITIONS WILL BE ENHANCED DRAMATICALLY; AND (7) THERE WILL BE A LONG-TERM REDUCTION IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES ARE NOT SPECIFIED. IN A COST COMPARISON ANALYSIS OF 22 LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, IT WAS FOUND THAT 14 OF THESE DEPARTMENTS EXCEEDED THE COST OF THE POLICING BY THE NASSAU COUNTY POLICE DISTRICT. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT CONTROL OVER THE OPERATIONS OF A DEPARTMENT, POLITICAL PATRONAGE POSITIONS, AND THE ABILITY TO TAX ON A LOCAL LEVEL IS NECESSARY FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONSOLIDATION OF SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE MAJOR FACTOR IN BRINGING ABOUT CONSOLIDATION IS THE EXPENSE TO THE TAXPAYER. THE ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF SPECIFIC HYPOTHESES IS NOT ADDRESSED. NASSAU COUNTY POLICE HAVE TWO WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN TAKE OVER THE POLICING OF A GIVEN TERRITORY: (1) BY CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT, AND (2) BY ABOLISHING THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT ALTOGETHER. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A COUNTY-WIDE SYSTEM OF POLICING BE ESTABLISHED FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES PRESENTED IN THE REPORT, AND THAT THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION UNDERTAKE APPROPRIATE ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF CONSOLIDATION. FIGURES, TABLES, AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (MLC)