PUBLIC POLICY AND PUBLIC EVALUATIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE (FROM SURVEY STUDIES OF THE VICTIMS OF CRIME, 1975 BY WESLEY G. SKOGAN - SEE NCJ-31964)

• NCJ Number: 31969
• Author(s): W G SKOGAN
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 26 pages
• Grant Number(s): 74-NI-99-0028
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REVIEWS THE RESEARCH LITERATURE ON THE USES OF INTERVIEW DATA IN THE EVALUATION OF POLICE ACTIVITIES.

Abstract

REVIEWED ARE STUDIES OF SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND EVALUATION OF POLICE PERFORMANCE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR DELIVERY SYSTEM; ITS RACE, SPEED, DEMEANOR, AND ABILITY TO RESOLVE DISPUTES OR RECOVER PROPERTY. THIS SUGGESTS THAT FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEWS WITH THE CONSUMERS OF SPECIFIC SERVICES SHOULD BE THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE SOURCE OF SUCH DATA, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE GOAL IS TO EVALUATE RELATIVELY RARE EVENTS SUCH AS THE INTERVENTION OF THE POLICE IN SERIOUS CRIMES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)