NCJ Number
45246
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 4-13
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE TREND TOWARD INCREASED ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS IS DISCUSSED, WITH EMPHASIS ON REORGANIZATION OF THE ROCHESTER, N.Y., DETECTIVE UNIT ALONG NEIGHBORHOOD TEAM POLICING LINES.
Abstract
THE ROCHESTER REORGANIZATION CONSISTED OF DISPERSING NEARLY HALF OF THE 120 CENTRAL INVESTIGATIVE UNIT DETECTIVES TO TEAM DISTRICTS, WHERE THEY SERVE UNDER PATROL COMMAND. THE REMAINING INVESTIGATORS WORK OUT OF A NEW CENTRAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION THAT CONCENTRATES ON HOMICIDES, OR IN SPECIALIZED UNITS. ROCHESTER MANAGERS HAVE ALSO IMPLEMENTED A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM FOR INVESTIGATORS. DETECTIVES WHO DO NOT MEASURE UP WILL BE RETURNED TO PATROL DUTY. OTHER EVIDENCE OF THE GROWING MOVEMENT TOWARD ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS IS CITED, INCLUDING THE LEAA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE WORKSHOPS ON NEW APPROACHES TO INVESTIGATIONS. RESEARCH LITERATURE ON THE 'INVESTIGATION DECISION MODEL' IS CITED, AS IS AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF THE ROCHESTER REORGANIZATION AND A SURVEY OF INVESTIGATIVE PRACTICES IN 300 POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE SURVEY, WHICH CONCLUDED THAT MUCH OF THE INVESTIGATIVE EFFORT COULD BE ELIMINATED WITHOUT LESSENING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, DREW SOME FIRE BUT CERTIFIED DOUBTS ABOUT DETECTIVE BUREAUS. ON THE BASIS OF TALKS WITH POLICE ADMINISTRATORS AND INDEPENDENT EVALUATORS, THE EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS ARE ASSESSED IN THE AREAS OF STAFFING, EFFECTIVENESS OF PATROL, AND CASE SCREENING. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EFFECT OF THE MANAGEMENT MOVEMENT HAS BEEN THAT IT HAS CAUSED MANY POLICE TO RETHINK THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING CRIMES. QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN TO BE ANSWERED IN THE EVALUATION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION MANAGEMENT ARE NOTED.