NCJ Number
214463
Date Published
December 2002
Length
56 pages
Annotation
Through the use of existing aggregate data and offender criminal history information, this study measured the effectiveness of multijurisdictional drug enforcement units in dealing with drug-law violators in Illinois compared with the effectiveness of traditional local police departments in investigating and arresting drug-law violators.
Abstract
It is evident that the task forces in Illinois are conducting investigations that target drug-law offenders not generally addressed by local police departments; however, the degree to which this difference occurs and the substantial role that some task forces are playing in local drug enforcement efforts may be beyond what was initially envisioned by the Federal task force program. Offenders targeted by the task force were much more likely to be involved in violations of Illinois' Controlled Substances Act (offenses involving cocaine, heroin, LSD, and methamphetamine) compared to local police departments, which were more likely to make arrests for cannabis-related offenses. The targets of the task forces were also more likely to be involved in the sale/delivery of drugs; whereas, local police departments were more likely to make arrests for drug possession. Further, the research found that cases presented for prosecution by the task forces were slightly more likely to result in convictions without having charges reduced. Also, convictions were significantly more likely to result in a prison sentence compared to similar types of arrests by local police departments. 10 tables, 8 figures, and 44-item bibliography