NCJ Number
61103
Date Published
1979
Length
61 pages
Annotation
A FINAL EVALUATION OF PHASE I OF THE QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, POLICE DEPARTMENT'S INTEGRATED CRIMINAL APPREHENSION PROGRAM (ICAP) IS PRESENTED; EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT (CAU) IS HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
IN 1977, THE QUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED AN 18-MONTH GRANT FROM LEAA TO ESTABLISH AN ICAP. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PATROL DIVISION IN IDENTIFICATION, APPREHENSION, AND PROSECUTION OF CAREER CRIMINALS AND REPEAT OFFENDERS IN SELECTED CRIME CATEGORIES. PROGRAM TASKS INCLUDED IMPROVING THE INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS PROVIDED TO THE PATROL DIVISION, IMPROVING CRIME ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES THROUGH COMPUTERIZATION, IMPROVING THE ALLOCATIONAL DECISIONMAKING PROCESS, AND REVISING PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATORY PROCEDURES. FROM EVALUATION STUDIES, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT FIVE MAJOR FACTORS HAVE LIMITED THE ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRATION OF ICAP IN THE DEPARTMENT, THUS HINDERING ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROGRAM. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE LACK OF FORMAL RECOGNITION OF ICAP AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL ENTITY, TREATMENT OF ICAP AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY, INVOLVEMENT OF ICAP AS AN ISSUE IN UNION NEGOTIATIONS, UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES AMONG THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMAND STAFF, AND FAILURE TO DEMONSTRATE THE DEPARTMENT'S LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO ICAP. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT STEPS TAKEN TO MAKE ICAP AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH CLEAR-CUT IDENTIFICATION OF THE UNIT AS AN OPERATIONAL, RATHER THAN AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENT. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT COMMUNICATIONS BE IMPROVED THROUGH TRAINING OF SUPERVISORS IN USE OF CAU DATA, ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULAR MEETINGS, AND ADEQUATE BRIEFING OF PATROL OFFICERS BY THE ICAP STAFF. FINALLY, DEVELOPMENT OF A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FEATURING IMPROVED INCIDENT CARDS AND SUSPECT FOCUSING THROUGH CAU REPORTS IS SUGGESTED. APPENDIXES ARE INCLUDED IN THE EVALUATION REPORT. (LWM)