NCJ Number
68275
Date Published
1976
Length
60 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF A MARYLAND SURVEY ON USE OF SWORN POLICE PERSONNEL IN NONLINE POLICE ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND PURCHASING, FOUND THAT MANY SUCH TASKS SHOULD BE PERFORMED BY CIVILIANS.
Abstract
THE SURVEY WAS PREPARED BY THE MARYLAND GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. IT WAS SENT TO 34 STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THIRTY-THREE RESPONDED. THE RESULTS WERE EVALUATED BY WESTINGHOUSE JUSTICE INSTITUTE THROUGH A REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THE HYPOTHESIS WAS THAT TASKS RELATING TO SUCH FUNCTIONS AS POLICE PLANNING AND RESEARCH, PUBLIC INFORMATION, POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET DEVELOPMENT AND CONTROL, AND DETENTIONS MANAGEMENT CAN AND SHOULD BE MANNED BY CIVILIANS. THE CONCLUSIONS SUPPORTED THE HYPOTHESIS. A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS IN USING CIVILIANS IN THESE JOBS, INCLUDING RELIEVING OFFICERS FROM ROUTINE TASKS, REDUCING COSTS, INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY OF MORE UNIFORMED MANPOWER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND IMPROVING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. THE REPORT CONCLUDED THAT STATEWIDE, 13 PERCENT OF ALL SWORN STAFF EMPLOYED BY PARTICIPATING AGENCIES COULD BE REASSIGNED TO LINE OPERATIONS. THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT THE STATE POLICE AGENCIES REASSIGN SWORN PERSONNEL TO LINE OPERATIONS AND FILL THE NONLINE TASKS MANNED BY THESE OFFICERS WITH QUALIFIED CIVILIANS. IT SUGGESTED THAT THE COMMISSION ALLOCATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT A NUMBER OF DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON EMPLOYING CIVILIANS IN NONLINE TASKS. TABLES, 10 REFERENCES, AND A SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE ARE INCLUDED. (TAG)