Regional Law Enforcement Assistance in Rural Areas - A Preliminary Study

• NCJ Number: 70112
• Author(s): J W Gallman; R Guzman; T J McDonough; H S Napier
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 261 pages
• Grant Number(s): 69-NI-037
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Justice Foundation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study examines 10 randomly selected Arkansas counties through the use of surveys and court records to locate major patterns and problem areas in law enforcement activities.

Abstract

Data was mostly gathered from court records and from surveys sent to law enforcement personnel, farmers, teenagers, and other consumers of law enforcement services. Data results show problems in recordkeeping procedures, insufficient personnel, a high incidence of juvenile crime, and a lack of communication capability. A detailed data analysis is given on law enforcement personnel and their views of rural law enforcement, police training, the performance level of rural police, and on youthful offenders. The report points out the need for better equipment, improved record keeping, and better training for all personnel. Areas for further research are suggested, including types of basic police skills and criminal investigation training particularly valuable to rural police, development of economical and effective communications, a clear description of the duties of the prosecuting attorney in rural areas, and more data on the correctional system as applied in rural areas. Tables and 10 bibliographic references are provided. Data collected for the study are appended.