NCJ Number
105901
Date Published
1984
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This report presents three articles which review critical areas of police department operation and look at improvements that can be made to enhance service delivery and productivity.
Abstract
Police management issues are examined, including patrol deployment options, service call management, investigations management, and use of civilian employees. Specific topics addressed include shift scheduling, temporal and geographic deployment, computer-aided scheduling, level of service, and one- versus two-officer patrol units. Case screening and monitoring also are covered. Proper deployment practices in these areas can enable police departments to handle rising workloads without increasing budgets. Also discussed is the process used by Colorado Springs, Colo., to examine the operation of its police department. The study was conducted in several phases. Phase 1 looked at the patrol division. Findings revealed that only 28 percent of patrol's time was allocated to calls for service and to cover calls. Recommendations focused on redistributing manpower to provide more efficient and productive use of resources and to save money. Phase 2 investigated 10 other facets of police operations, including traffic operations, undercover security, development of a career-development program, and an analysis of organizational strategy. The third topic covered in this report, productivity in the St. Petersburg Beach Police Department, highlights the practical management techniques that have enhanced the department's productivity. An environment which nurtures respect, communication, and cooperation between all levels of police personnel is encouraged by the management of this police department. Tables, graphs, and references.