Measuring What We Do

• NCJ Number: 212821
• Journal: Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 35 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2005 Pages: 19-21,23,25
• Author(s): Lisa Sprague
• Date Published: November 2005
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview; Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the strengths and weaknesses of various measurements used by campus police departments to determine their efficiency and effectiveness.

Abstract

The article presents eight responsibilities of campus law enforcement agencies, accompanied by the objectives and possible measures of efficiency and effectiveness for each responsibility. One responsibility is to reduce crime and criminal victimization. Possible measures related to this responsibility include crimes reported to the Uniform Crime Reports, crimes reported to the university police department, crimes not reported (victimization surveys), and number of crime-related problems solved. A second responsibility is "calling offenders to account." Possible measures of success in meeting this responsibility include misdemeanor and felony arrests (distinguished by no prosecution and conviction), arrests without probable cause, and warrant enforcement. A third responsibility is "enhancing personal safety/reducing fear," to be measured by surveys on citizen fear of crime and the number of community crime prevention meetings. A fourth responsibility is "ensuring civility in public spaces." Performance measures could include number of parking violations and moving violations, drunk-driving arrests, number of vehicle accidents, and crime by location. A fifth responsibility is "using authority and force fairly and economically," with performance measures to include number of arrests that involved justified use of force or no force, arrests that involved injury, and citizen complaints. A sixth responsibility is "using public fund efficiently and fairly," to be measured by zero-based budgeting and program evaluation. A seventh responsibility is to "produce quality service," to be measured by citizen satisfaction, number of complaints, number of commendations, and number of follow-up contacts with victims. The eighth responsibility is to "promote the well-being of employees," to be measured by employee surveys, equipment inventory and needs assessment, and turnover rates. References