NCJ Number
51087
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 31-32,34
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE INSTALLATION OF A JOB CONTROL SYSTEM IN ONE SECTION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SEATTLE, WASH., TO IMPROVE THE SECTION'S INPUT TO THE CITY'S PROGRAM PLANNING AND BUDGETING SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE INSPECTIONS AND PLANNING SECTION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN WHICH THE JOB CONTROL SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING ORGANIZATIONAL INSPECTIONS AND PLANNING FOR DEPARTMENT NEEDS. THE PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP JOB CONTROL SYSTEM OBJECTIVES AND RELATE THEM TO THE CITY'S BUDGET MANUAL IS CRUCIAL TO THE SYSTEM'S SUCCESS. THAT PROCESS INVOLVED CONSIDERATION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND HIERARCHY AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE SECTION'S ACTIVITIES. ONE OF THE MAJOR PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM PLANNING AND BUDGETING SYSTEM OF THE CITY IS TO HELP PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM BECOME RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS, SO THAT THEY WILL ACHIEVE SAVINGS AND/OR INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY. THE INSPECTIONS AND PLANNING SECTION IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR OPERATING UNITS: ADMINISTRATIVE, INSPECTIONS, PLANNING, AND RESEARCH SUPPORT UNITS. THE JOB CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN DESIGNED AS AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF RECORDKEEPING THAT INVOLVES IDENTIFICATION, LOGGING, TRACKING, TIMEKEEPING, REPORTING, AND FILING. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES OF THE SYSTEM IS ITS ABILITY TO IDENTIFY EACH TANGIBLE ELEMENT OF WORK AND POINT DIRECTLY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING ON EACH JOB ELEMENT OR TO PROPER FILING LOCATIONS FOR COMPLETED ITEMS OF WORK. THE SYSTEM HAS GIVEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A RECORD OF ALL WORK, TO RECORD TIME SPENT ON EACH PROJECT, AND TO PLACE COMPLETED WORK IN THE PROPER SECTION FILE. FORMS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED, NEW FORMS HAVE BEEN CREATED, AND WORD PROCESSING-GENERATED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION REPORTS HAVE BEEN DEVISED AND MADE OPERATIONAL. ACTUAL ROUTINES INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM'S OPERATION ARE DETAILED. (DEP)