NCJ Number
41312
Date Published
1974
Length
19 pages
Annotation
CONCEIVED IN 1971, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED A POOL OF NARCOTICS INVESTIGATORS TO BE TRAINED AND USED ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS BY 21 SMALL MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS (19 POLICE AND 2 SHERIFF) FOR UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS.
Abstract
DESIGNED IN RESPONSE TO THE SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES' LACK OF SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL FOR COVERT INVESTIGATIONS, UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS, AND SPECIAL SURVEILLANCES, THIS PROGRAM UTILIZED THE SERVICES OF 26 POLICE OFFICERS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES. THIS EVALUATION IS LIMITED TO DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM AND A BUDGET LINE ITEM ANALYSIS. EVALUATORS CONCLUDED THAT, FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED (24) AND THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS AND PROSECUTIONS RESULTING FROM THESE INVESTIGATIONS (66 AND 51 RESPECTIVELY), THE OFFICERS EXCHANGE PROGRAM MUST BE CONSIDERED AS MINIMALLY SUCCESSFUL. HOWEVER, MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN HANDICAPPED BY ITS EXPERIMENTAL NATURE. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROGRAM PLANNING INCLUDE REDUCING THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM TO THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT OF USING MEMBER AGENCY PERSONNEL EXCLUSIVELY, ALLOWING NON-CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES TO MAKE USE OF EXCHANGE OFFICERS ON A SALARY REIMBURSEMENT BASIS, REDUCING THE DIRECTOR'S DUTIES TO A PART-TIME POSITION LIMITED TO DAY-TO-DAY ADMINISTRATION, AND REQUESTING DONATING AGENCIES TO ALLOW, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, THE EXTENDED ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICERS.