NCJ Number
79314
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 50 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1981) Pages: 7-12
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A system of resource allocation was developed by the Ann Arbor Police Department (Michigan) to provide more efficient use of road patrol units for shifts.
Abstract
Three primary goals of the new system were to consistently have on duty the number of units and officers that 'fit' the workload, to have consistency in granting time off, and to use the most efficient mix of single and double units by time of day. Accomplishment of these goals would improve the efficiency of the patrol force and solve four potential allocation problems: nonuniform supervisory decisions on number of officers allowed off at any given time; officer grievances of unequal treatment; lack of a realistic foundation for decisions on the number of units and patrols assigned; and problems in assignment of officers by time of day and day of the week to improve overall and emergency response time, as well as to increase officer productivity. Records of patrol unit-time spent were collected and tabulated by hand for one randomly selected test week for each month during a year. The next phase, data analysis, consisted of three sections: (1) a statistical analysis of the workload using standard deviation and Poisson distribution techniques, (2) an estimate of the mathematical probability that all patrol units on duty during a shift would be busy simultaneously, and (3) a subjective evaluation of other general factors to assist in deciding how many units should be assigned. The system was developed in the fall of 1978 and implemented in February 1979. By November 1980, it had been updated twice. Pre-and post system statistics attest to its effectiveness. Tables and footnotes are included.