NCJ Number
67220
Date Published
1976
Length
94 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY AND CONTEMPORARY USE OF POLICE RESERVES ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE INNOVATIVE USE, RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF POLICE RESERVES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN THIS STUDY, A RESERVE POLICE OFFICER IS DEFINED AS 'A LIMITED AND TEMPORARY SWORN MEMBER OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY HAVING REGULAR POLICE POWERS WHILE FUNCTIONING AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AGENCY, COMPENSATED OR NON-COMPENSATED, WHO IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE AGENCY ON A REGULARLY SCHEDULED BASIS.' THE INCREASING SHORTAGE OF REGULAR POLICE PERSONNEL RESULTING PRIMARILY FORM BUDGET LIMITATIONS HAS PROMPTED POLICE ADMINISTRATORS TO FIND ALTERNATIVES FOR MANPOWER USE AND DEPLOYMENT. THE USE OF POLICE RESERVES IS ONE ALTERNATIVE. IN THE PAST, THE USE OF POLICE RESERVES WAS LARGELY CHARACTERIZED BY POLICE RESERVES' ABUSE OF THEIR POWER, POLITICAL FAVORITISM IN THE APPOINTMENT OF RESERVES, POOR TRAINING FOR RESERVES, INADEQUATE SELECTION PROCEDURES, AND A FAILURE TO USE RESERVES EFFECTIVELY ONCE THEY WERE SELECTED. IN SPITE OF PAST ABUSES OF RESERVE PROGRAMS, MANY POLICE ADMINISTRATORS TODAY APPARENTLY BELIEVE THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE COSTS. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF RESERVES ARE VIEWED AS SIMILAR TO THOSE RELATED TO REGULAR SWORN PERSONNEL. INNOVATIVE USES OF POLICE RESERVES HAVE OCCURRED IN GENERALIST AND SPECIALIST ASSIGNMENTS. IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE USE OF RESERVES, RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED IN THE AREAS OF FURTHER RESEARCH, INCREASED USE, RESERVE PUBLICATIONS, RESERVE ORGANIZATIONS, RESERVE TRAINING PROGRAMS, DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, AND WAIVERS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASED RECOGNITION OF RESERVES ENCOMPASS STIMULATION OF INTEREST, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND INCREASED BENEFITS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED.