NCJ Number
14512
Date Published
1972
Length
133 pages
Annotation
ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE PUERTO RICAN POLICE TRANSPORTATION DIVISION AND THE USE, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF ITS VEHICLES.
Abstract
THE PUERTO RICAN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A SINGLE ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER ON THE ENTIRE ISLAND. A DESCRIPITION IS GIVEN OF THE VARIOUS PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE POLICE TRANSPORTATION DIVISION VEHICLES ARE USED. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES, BROKEN DOWN BY TYPE AND MANUFACTURER, AND THE AVERAGE AGE ARE PROVIDED. THE COSTS OF MAINTAINING AND OPERATING THE FLEET OF VEHICLES ARE DETAILED, AND THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES LAID UP FOR REPAIR IS COMPUTED AT BETWEEN 18.4 AND 21.2 PERCENT (ALTHOUGH THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLICE CHIEFS RECOMMENDS A MAXIMUM OF FIVE PERCENT). THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ATTRIBUTES THIS SITUATION TO POOR REPAIR SERVICE BY THE PUERTO RICAN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. THE POLICE CAN GET REPAIR JOBS COSTING LESS THAN $200 DONE BY PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS, AND THIS IS A VERY SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT. HOWEVER, JOBS COSTING $200 OR MORE MUST BE DONE BY THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, AND THEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS NO CONTROL OVER COST, TIME CONSUMED AND QUALITY OF THE WORK. SERVICE IS UNSATISFACTORY ON ALL THREE COUNTS. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS THAT IMPROVEMENTS BE MADE IN THE PERSONNEL, FACILITIES AND FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. CHANGES ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE POLICE TRANSPORTATION DIVISION. THESE CHANGES WOULD RESULT IN A MORE CLEARCUT SEPARATION OF THE OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE DIVISION. --IN SPANISH