NCJ Number
53391
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE SETTING UP OF A NEW POSITION OF FULL-TIME INVESTIGATOR IN A SMALL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DOCUMENTS THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN CRIME CLEARANCE RATES WHICH HAS FOLLOWED.
Abstract
MEREDITH, N.H., HAS A PERMANENT POPULATION OF 4,000, WHICH INCREASES SEASONALLY TO 15,000. IN 1976 IT HAD 24 BURGLARIES REPORTED WITH 5 CLEARED BY ARREST. IN 1977 IT HAD 54 REPORTED, 9 CLEARED. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY WAS ASKED TO FUND A FULL-TIME INVESTIGATOR AND THE PROJECT BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 1978. THE BUDGET AND SOURCES OF FUNDING ARE LISTED. A REGULAR POLICE OFFICER WAS SELECTED FOR THE NEW POSITION AND SENT TO A NUMBER OF TRAINING SCHOOLS. BETWEEN THE TIME HE ASSUMED HIS DUTIES, MARCH 1, 1978, AND THE DATE OF THIS REPORT, DECEMBER 5, 1978, THE TOWN HAD 43 REPORTED BURGLARIES WITH 21 CLEARED BY ARREST. THEFTS SHOWED A SIMILAR INCREASE IN CLEARANCE RATES. MORE THAN HALF THE CRIMES WERE COMMITTED BY JUVENILES. THE ARREST OF ONE JUVENILE CLEARED 19 CASES. THE BULK OF THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE INVESTIGATOR'S WORK, THE SETTING UP OF PROCEDURES TO COORDINATE WITH PATROL OFFICERS, AND PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE ARISEN. THE INVESTIGATOR ALSO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SETTING UP A SPECIAL TRAINING COURSE ON JUVENILE PROBLEMS FOR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS AT NEARBY PLYMOUTH STATE COLLEGE. REFUNDING IS URGED. (GLR)