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PREVENTIVE OBJECTIVES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

NCJ Number
65095
Author(s)
T T O'CONNOR
Date Published
1978
Length
39 pages
Annotation
A MANAGEMENT-BY-OBJECTIVES (MBO) SYSTEM IS OUTLINED AND ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WITH THE CAPACITY TO EFFICIENTLY UTILIZE EXISTING MANPOWER RESOURCES IS DETAILED.
Abstract
SINCE A MANPOWER COMPLEMENT IS LIMITED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SUCH AGENCIES MUST INSURE THAT PERSONNEL ARE UTILIZED PRODUCTIVELY. OBJECTIVES MUST BE SET AND PRIORITIZED. THREE TYPES OF OBJECTIVES CAN REDUCE A PARTICULAR TYPE OF CRIME. TWO ARE ENFORCEMENT OBJECTIVES--INCREASING ARRESTS THROUGH THE DEPLOYMENT OF PATROL AND INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL, AND PREVENTING CRIME THROUGH POLICE PATROL PRESENCE. THE THIRD, FOSTERING THE PRACTICE OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES AMONG CITIZENS, CAN BE TERMED A PROACTIVE OBJECTIVE. THE PROACTIVE OR PREVENTIVE APPROACH WOULD APPEAR TO OFFER A RESPONSE TO LESSER CRIMES. THIS TYPE OF PREVENTIVE ACTION USES OPPORTUNITY REDUCTION (TARGET HARDENING AND COOPERATIVE ANTICRIME EFFORTS INVOLVING CITIZENS WORKING WITH POLICE). THE MERITS OF THIS PREVENTIVE APPROACH ARE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS HOW TO INCORPORATE SUCH PREVENTIVE MEASURES INTO THE FRAMEWORK OF OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES. BASIC STEPS THAT AN AGENCY MIGHT TAKE TOWARD MAXIMIZING CITIZEN PREVENTIVE ACTIVITIES ARE OUTLINED. THESE INCLUDE COMMUNITY CRIME-RESISTANCE PROJECTS, TARGET-HARDENING, CITIZEN-POLICE COOPERATION, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUPS, AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION TO COMBAT CRIME. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (MJW)