NCJ Number
43132
Date Published
1977
Length
43 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY, DATED JULY 1, 1977, WAS PREPARED FOR THE PARKER (AZ) POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHOSE 11 PERSONNEL (7 SWORN)) SERVE 2500 TOWN RESIDENTS, 15,000 RURAL RESIDENTS, & UP TO 100,000 TOURISTS ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS.
Abstract
RECORDKEEPING PROBLEMS ARE COMPOUNDED BY THE LARGE INFLUXES OF TOURISTS PLUS THE FACT THAT PARKER IS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION, AUTONOMOUS FROM STATE, COUNTY, OR CITY CRIMINAL LAW. MAJOR PROBLEMS INCLUDE COMPLETE AND ACCURATE IDENTIFICATION OF ALL ARRESTEES AND DUPLICATE RECORDKEEPING REQUIRED FOR ARRESTED INDIANS WHO ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE TRIBAL JAIL. EACH JAIL USES SEPARATE BOOKING FORMS AND THE PARKER POLICEMAN MUST FILL OUT DUPLICATES FOR HIS DEPARTMENTAL RECORDS. COORDINATION OF THE TWO SYSTEMS IS A LONG-RANGE PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE NEGOTIATED. AT PRESENT, PERSONS ARRESTED ARE NOT FINGERPRINTED. FINGERPRINTING SHOULD BE ROUTINE AND ALL FORMS FILED IN A JACKET WITH THE THUMBPRINT TO ASSURE CORRECT IDENTIFICATION, A PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF TOURISTS. PHOTOGRAPHY ABILITY SHOULD ALSO BE INCREASED AND ACCIDENTS AND OTHER INCIDENTS PHOTOGRAPHED FOR LATER USE AS EVIDENCE. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INVOLVED STANDARIZING FORMS, SETTING UP A MASTER FILE WITH ALL NAMES OF PERSONS IN THE OTHER FILES, AND EXPANDING THE DAILY LOG BOOK TO INCLUDE TELEPHONE CALLS AND OTHER REQUESTS FOR POLICE AID INSTEAD OF JUST RADIO CALLS.