NCJ Number
8926
Date Published
1970
Length
44 pages
Annotation
STUDY TO DETERMINE AT WHAT POINT AN ORGANIZATION IS LARGE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE BASIC POLICE SERVICES, AND TO CONSIDER THE BEST MEANS OF PROVIDING THESE SERVICES.
Abstract
MANY WRITERS ON PROBLEMS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND POLICE ADMINISTRATION HAVE NOTED THE FRAGMENTATION OF AMERICAN POLICE INTO A COMPLEX OF SMALL LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. WHILE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A PROBLEM WHICH MUST BE MET AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, SOME JURISDICTIONS ARE TOO SMALL TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF POLICE SERVICES. THE SUCCESSFUL BRITISH EXPERIENCE IN CONSOLIDATION IS EXAMINED IN DEPTH IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE SOME OF THE BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS OF CENTRALIZING POLICE FUNCTIONS. THE NUMBER, LOCATION AND EFFECTIVE STRENGTHS OF MINNESOTA POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE THEN DISCUSSED AND COMPARATIVE TABLES ARE PROVIDED. THE MINIMUM PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN BASIC POLICE FUNCTIONS ARE IDENTIFIED AND SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR REORGANIZING MINNESOTA POLICE DEPARTMENTS INTO MORE EFFICIENT ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS.