NCJ Number
30393
Date Published
1975
Length
146 pages
Annotation
THE CENTRAL POLICE DISPATCH (CPD) SYSTEM OF MUSKEGON COUNTY (MI) PROVIDES AN AROUND-THE-CLOCK, CIVILIAN STAFF, EFFICIENT, AND HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE TO THE EIGHT COMMUNITIES THAT POOLED THEIR RESOURCES TO FORM IT.
Abstract
MUSKEGON'S CPD, ONE OF 17 PROGRAMS DESIGNATED 'EXEMPLARY' BY LEAA, IS PROVIDING MORE EXTENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE DISPATCHING SERVICES TO ITS MEMBER JURISDICTIONS THAN THOSE MEMBERS COULD PROVIDE SEPARATELY. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL IS VESTED IN A BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPOSED OF A MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL FROM EACH JURISDICTION. OPERATIONAL CONTROL RESTS IN THE HANDS OF EXPERIENCED SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES. THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF THE SYSTEM, ITS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION AND ITS ADMINISTRATIVE AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ARE DISCUSSED. OPERATING PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM ARE COMPARED WITH STANDARDS PUT FORTH BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION. THE COST OF THE PROJECT IS ANALYZED, AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EVALUATION PROCEDURES ARE PRESENTED. THE FINAL SECTION LAYS OUT AN OVERALL APPROACH TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CENTRAL DISPATCH SYSTEM IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IS NOT CONSIDERED IN THIS REPORT BECAUSE OF THE GREAT VARIANCE IN REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN JURISDICTIONS AND BECAUSE GENERAL TREATMENTS ON THE SUBJECT ARE AVAILABLE FROM MANY OTHER SOURCES.