NCJ Number
54322
Date Published
1975
Length
341 pages
Annotation
IOWA LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES ARE COMPARED WITH POLICE STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS (NAC). RURAL AREAS ARE FOUND TO BE BELOW COMPLIANCE.
Abstract
THIS COMPARISON COVERS 107 STANDARDS RELATING TO THE POLICE ROLE, POLICE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION, POLICE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, POLICE MANAGEMENT, TEAM POLICING, PLANNING AND TRAINING FOR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES, PATROL, OPEATIONS SPECIALIZATION, MANPOWER UTILIZATION, RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION, AND TRAINING. THE NAC STANDARDS EXAMINED ALSO COVER CLASSIFICATION AND PAY, PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT, PROMOTIONS, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, INTERNAL DISCIPLINE, AND HEALTH CARE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS. EQUIPMENT, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS ARE ALSO EXAMINED. THE ANALYSIS PRESENTS THE NAC STANDARD, ASSIGNS A 'COMPLIANCE RATING,' REVIEWS POLICE PRACTICE IN BOTH CITIES AND RURAL AREAS, NOTES VARIATIONS IN COMPLIANCE WITH NAC STANDARD, THEN REVIEWS OBSTACLES TO COMPLIANCE. IT IS FOUND THAT THE VAST AREA AND RURAL NATURE OF THE STATE MEANS THAT LARGE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION DO NOT HAVE 24-HOUR POLICE SERVICE FROM EITHER MUNICIPAL POLICE OR A COUNTY SHERIFF. THE STATE POLICE DIVISIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS SET UP TO HELP FILL THESE GAPS. A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVED PAY, IMPROVED RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, BETTER TRAINING, AND IMPROVED EQUIPMENT ARE ALSO MADE. (GLR)