NCJ Number
19533
Date Published
1974
Length
215 pages
Annotation
A COMPREHENSIVE FEASIBILITY SURVEY TO SEE IF REFORM OR CONSOLIDATION WOULD BEST SATISFY THE MINIMUM STANDARDS DEVELOPED IN THE FIRST SECTIONS OF THIS REPORT.
Abstract
THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT INCLUDED: A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTY; AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTY TOGETHER WITH RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS; A SURVEY OF EXISTING TECHNIQUES OF POLICE CONSOLIDATION; THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY MODEL FOR THE COUNTY, TOGETHER WITH AN ALTERNATIVE; AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO CONSOLIDATION. THE SURVEY'S METHODOLOGY CONSISTED OF POLICE AND ELECTED LEADERSHIP INTERVIEWS, AND ON-SITE PROCEDURAL EXAMINATIONS, INCLUDING RECORDS AND REPORT EXAMINATION. THE FINDINGS SUGGEST THE PRESENT LEVEL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE DELIVERY IN JOHNSON COUNTY MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE COUNTY'S PRESENT OR FUTURE NEEDS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS DESIGNED TO BRING THE COUNTY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES INTO COMPLIANCE WITH MINIMUM POLICE STANDARDS AS DEFINDED IN THIS STUDY WERE DEVELOPED. THE MAJOR CONCLUSIONS WERE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSOLIDATION IN JOHNSON COUNTY IS LEGALLY AND OPERATIONALLY FEASIBLE, AND THAT CONSOLIDATION WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE TO IMPLEMENT THAN THE CHANGES NECESSARY TO BRING THE PRESENT SYSTEM INTO COMPLIANCE WITH RECOMMENDED STANDARDS, BUT IT SHOULD BE VIEWED FROM THE STANDPOINT OF COSTEFFECTIVENESS RATHER THAN COST-REDUCTION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)