NCJ Number
124722
Date Published
1989
Length
130 pages
Annotation
The future of police and fire department consolidation in California urban areas was analyzed by a study group of 18 professionals from varied backgrounds.
Abstract
Five significant issues affecting police-fire consolidation were identified: civil disaster planning and emergency preparedness; public demand for services and programs; interest in local control of and resistance to change; managerial concern for improved efficiency and effectiveness; and public safety specialization. Probable events that could critically impact police-fire consolidation were also noted: civil judgment in excess of local government's ability to pay; prolonged major civil disorder; major earthquake; major change in sales tax allocation in favor of State government; and major taxpayer revolt. Efforts to consolidate police and fire departments in California have found limited success and acceptance. Therefore, any consolidation effort to change the customs, attitudes, and interests of an urban community will be difficult to implement over the next decade. The form of consolidation that has found the greatest interest among California agencies is "nominal consolidation." Under this concept, both police and fire services retain their own operational and administrative identities, but both departments report to one chief executive usually identified as the Director of Public Safety. Strategic and transition management issues associated with a police-fire consolidation program are discussed. Appendixes contain supplemental study information. 14 references, 8 notes, 11 tables, 10 figures.