NCJ Number
41902
Date Published
1976
Length
56 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES A METHOD OF GENERATING PATROL CAR SCHEDULES FOR USE BY POLICE DEPARTMENT SYSTEMS ANALYSTS AND MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.
Abstract
THE LEVEL OF DEMAND FOR POLICE SERVICE VARIES CONSIDERABLY THROUGH THE DAY. RECOGNIZING THIS, POLICE DEPARTMENTS ASSIGN MORE PATROL CARS TO DUTY DURING THE BUSY HOURS. SCHEDULING DECISIONS, HOWEVER, HAVE USUALLY BEEN EDUCATED GUESSES. IMPROVEMENT RESULTING FROM BETTER SCHEDULES CAN BE QUITE SIGNIFICANT. FOR EXAMPLE, A SCHEDULE DEVISED USING THE METHODS PRESENTED HERE MAINTAINED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS WITH ALMOST A 25 PERCENT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF CARS FIELDED UNDER THE TRADITIONAL SCHEDULE. THIS REPORT DEMONSTRATES THE USE OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS TO DETERMINE THE HOURLY REQUIREMENTS FOR PATROL CARS. THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES WERE DERIVED: MAXIMUM BENEFITS FROM SCHEDULE FLEXIBILITY CAN BE OBTAINED USING FIVE TOUR START TIMES AND ASSIGNING MEALS AT ANY TIME; FLEXIBILITY IN ASSIGNING MEALBREAKS RESULTS IN A MARKEDLY IMPROVED PATTERN OF AVAILABILITY; AND IN ALMOST ALL CASES, PREVENTIVE PATROL HOURS CAN BE DOUBLED WITH ONLY SMALL PERCENTAGE INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF CARS.(AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)....BDS