NCJ Number
219440
Date Published
February 2007
Length
83 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of an evaluation of the Queensland Police Services's (QPS's) Princess Alexandra Hospital Police Beat (PAHPB), which is Queensland's (Australia) first police beat in a hospital.
Abstract
The evaluation concluded that the PAHPB has made significant progress in a short period; however, a number of changes could be made to maximize the impact of the PAHPB over time. The level of staffing and normal operating hours of the beat was appropriate to meet the calls for service and crime-reporting demand. The activities of the PAHPB have included a high proportion of inquiry work, administrative tasks, and proactive patrolling. Of concern is the low proportion of officers' time spent in community policing activities, specifically, a lack of problem solving strategies used by PAHPB officers in the retail community surrounding the hospital. Hospital staff, including senior management, and retailers reported high satisfaction with PAHPB service delivery. Recommendations are offered for how the PAHPB could improve the management of calls for service, how it could have a greater positive impact on the community's perceptions of safety, and how it could enhance stakeholders' satisfaction with PAHPB services. The evaluation covered the 6-month trial period of the PAHPB. Data sources used in the evaluation included calls for service, crime reporting, patrol logs and daily logs, focus groups (key hospital staff groups), key stakeholder interview (police, hospital staff, and retailers), operational and procedural documentation, and hospital and retailer surveys before and after the trial. 11 tables, 10 figures, and 19 references