Inter-Communication Between Police Patrol and Detective Personnel - A Challenge for Police Managers (From Improving Police Management Selected Readings, 1981, Donald F Cawley, et al - See NCJ-85422)

• NCJ Number: 85424
• Author(s): E Maldonado; L Knowles
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A survey of 182 randomly selected patrol officers and detectives in a large California police agency revealed perceptions of significant communication problems between these classes of officers, so suggestions for improving communication between detectives and patrol officers are presented.

Abstract

Generally, the survey results show that patrol officers and detectives are aware that intercommunication and information sharing problems exist between officers in the two divisions; however, both groups perceive each other's competency positively. Both groups see a need for improved cooperation, particularly in the area of feedback from detectives to patrol officers. Thorough and continual orientation and training of police supervisors must be central in any plan to improve intercommunication between patrol officers and detectives, since this group carries the greatest influence on attitudes for the majority on attitudes for the majority of police personnel. Provisions should also be made to increase the interaction between patrol and detective bureau supervisors. Combining the work proximity of those performing overlapping functions (patrol officers and detectives involved in an investigation) could also improve intercommunication. A logical step would be to assign detectives to each of the patrol shifts. A sufficient number of investigators would remain on the day shift to contact victims and witnesses and to handle the filing of cases at court. Four footnotes are listed.