NCJ Number
47434
Date Published
1978
Length
95 pages
Annotation
THE SEVEN COMPONENTS OF A PATROL EMPHASIS PROGRAM ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE PONTIAC, MICHIGAN, POLICE PROJECT WAS IMPLEMENTED FROM NOVEMBER 6, 1976 TO NOVEMBER 6, 1977 AT A COST OF $205,092, OF WHICH $184,582 WAS FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FROM LEAA. THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM WERE TIED TO THE GOAL OF IMPROVING THE PATROL FUNCTION, AND WERE: (1) INCREASED USE OF CRIME ANALYSIS IN MANPOWER ALLOCATION AND DAY-TO-DAY TACTICAL PLANNING, (2) COORDINATION OF INFORMATION BETWEEN DETECTIVES AND PATROL OFFICERS WITH DETECTIVES ATTENDING PATROL BRIEFINGS AND PATROL OFFICIALS ATTENDING DETECTIVE MEETINGS, (3) A COURT LIAISON OFFICER TO DECREASE POLICE TIME WASTED IN COURT; (4) MORE CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING FOR PATROL OFFICERS; (5) ASSIGNMENT OF PATROL OFFICERS TO DETERRENT 'RUNS' DURING UNCOMMITTED TIME; (6) AN ADDITIONAL OFFICER FOR THE PLAINCLOTHES DIRECTED PATROL UNIT; AND (7) AN ADDITIONAL OFFICER ASSIGNED TO CRIME PREVENTION SO THAT MORE PREMISE SECURITY SURVEYS COULD BE COMPLETED. ALL COMPONENTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED EXCEPT THE DETERRENT PATROL RUNS. THIS PHASE OF THE PROJECT WAS LEFT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JUNIOR PATROL OFFICIALS WHO HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE LOGISTICS OF THE CONCEPT. THE UTILIZATION OF CRIME ANALYSIS IN DAILY OPERATIONS INCREASED. INFORMATION SHARED BETWEEN DETECTIVES AND PATROL OFFICERS PROVED USEFUL TO BOTH. TIME SPENT WAITING AROUND THE COURT FOR CASES TO BE CALLED DECREASED BY 18 PERCENT, AND PATROL OFFICERS BEGAN CONDUCTING SECURITY SURVEYS, WHILE THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT DRAMATICALLY INCREASED ITS NUMBER OF PREMISE SECURITY SURVEYS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROJECT BE CONTINUED WITH GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY EXPERIENCED PATROL PERSONNEL IN THE DETERRENT RUN PHASE. APPENDIXES CONTAIN REPORTED CRIME DATA AND ARREST DATA. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (GLR)