NCJ Number
15753
Journal
Urban Affairs Quarterly Dated: (JUNE 1971) Pages: 447-475
Date Published
1971
Length
29 pages
Annotation
POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM INADEQUIATE OR MISLEADING DATA CAN PERPETUATE DETRIMENTAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN BUREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS.
Abstract
COST-EFFECTIVE EVALUATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OUR MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES ARE INAPPROPRIATE OR INACCURATE. POLICY DECISIONS THAT ARE BASED ON THIS INFORMATION TEND TO AGGRAVATE THE SITUATIONS THAT THEY WERE INTENDED TO AMELIORATE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE POLICE PRACTICE OF AGGRESSIVE PATROLLING IS THOUGHT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IF THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CRIMES DECREASES. HOWEVER, CRIME REPORTING MEASUREMENTS MAY ACTUALLY INDICATE CITIZEN ANNOYANCE WITH AGRESSIVE TECHNIQUES AND THE CONSEQUENTIAL RELUCTANCE TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE POLICE. MEASUREMENT OF POLICY EFFECTIVENESS SHOULD BE CONSUMER ORIENTED. POLICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS SHOULD BE BASED ON RESPONSE TIME, VICTIMIZATION DATA, CITIZEN REPORTING DATA, PROPERTY RISK DATA, AND COST EFFECTIVENESS DATA TO BE RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC NEED.