NCJ Number
80566
Date Published
1977
Length
180 pages
Annotation
This report describes the team policing effort implemented by the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) in California in 1975.
Abstract
The main goal of the program was to reduce crime. The team policing demonstration combined patrol reorganization and a sizable expansion of the SAPD. From 1973 to 1976, the department grew 41 percent, from a manning level of 279 to 470, including 100 new patrol personnel. The SAPD formed 8 teams of 22 to 25 officers each, with pairs of teams under the command of a lieutenant. Detectives were not assigned to the teams, but two burglary investigators were designated liaison detectives to two teams. A community relations program was initiated to publicize the program and its goals. Much of the citizen contact associated with setting up a block captain structure was carried out by civilian SAPD employees. Increased discretionary time available to patrol officers, due to increased manpower, was used for such activities as community contacts, assistance to other officers, foot patrol, and field stops. During the demonstration, field investigations and street stops increased markedly. Santa Ana's program may have contributed to an overall decrease in crime because crime was on a downward trend during the months before the demonstration began and the SAPD was successful in spurring the rate of decline during the demonstration's first 6 months. However, no conclusive evidence exists about what caused the crime decrease in Santa Ana. Marginal improvement in community relations occurred, as measured by a citizen survey. However, job satisfaction of police personnel decreased during the project. The report discusses the background and setting of the project, implementation of team policing elements, and outcomes. Tables, figures, and footnotes are included. Appendixes present the survey instrument and project data. (Author summary modified)