NCJ Number
36778
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
ECONOMIES-OF-SCALE ARE GENERALLY EFFECTED WHEN THE PRODUCT OF THE CONSOLIDATION IS TANGIBLE AND EASILY QUANTIFIED - THE ASSUMPTION THAT POLICE CONSOLIDATION IS ECONOMICAL IS NOT NECESSARILY VALID.
Abstract
MOST OF THE POLICE BUDGET (80 TO 90 %) USUALLY GOES FOR PERSONNEL COSTS. ECONOMIES-OF-SCALE RESULT FROM REDUCED OVERHEAD AND MANAGEMENT COSTS. HOWEVER, IN SMALLER POLICE DEPARTMENTS, EVEN POLICE CHIEFS AND ADMINISTRATORS OFTEN ASSUME PATROL AND INVESTIGATIVE FUNCTIONS SO THERE WOULD BE LITTLE SAVINGS IN THESE AREAS. POLICE OUTPUT IS HARD TO QUANTIFY EXCEPT IN CERTAIN AREAS SUCH AS CRIME LABS, ENTRY-LEVEL TRAINING, ETC. ECONOMIES MAY VERY WELL RESULT FROM SUCH FUNCTIONAL CONSOLIDATIONS. IN LIGHT OF THE ADDITIONAL FACT THAT CRIME RATES RISE WITH POPULATION GROWTH, LARGE-SCALE CONSOLIDATION NEEDS CAREFUL RE-THINKING.