NCJ Number
77635
Date Published
1980
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This executive summary of the study report on an analysis of the organization of the Seattle Police Department (Wash.) presents findings on the current structure of the Department and offers recommendations for reorganization.
Abstract
The study process required Department managers to discuss together the philosophy of police service, citizen needs, and consequent implications for police organization. The recommended organization, based on modern police management principles, will provide efficient delivery of services while providing flexibility for change and expansion in key operational or support functions. The structure will encourage police/community interface and emphasize the mutual responsibility of citizens and police to ensure social control in the city. The basic changes recommended are (1) combining field units into an Operations Bureau and strengthening the planning capability for increased efficiency in the use of field units, (2) realignment of investigative units and an experiment in the use of detectives, and (3) consolidation of citizen participatory services to give emphasis and efficiency to such services. The proposed organization will have five command-level divisions, with four at the bureau level. The Administrative Services Bureau will link personnel, fiscal, and property management operations in one bureau, while giving independent status to data processing. The Operations Bureau will contain a Patrol Division, a Special Operations Division with Traffic and Metropolitan Sections, and an Operations Section. The Investigations Bureau will combine the current Crimes Against Property Section, the Special Assignments Section, and the Accident Investigations Section into one Crimes Against Property Section. The Field Support Bureau will consist of the Citizen Services Division, the Communication Division, and the Criminal Information Section. The fifth division will be the Inspectional Services Division. Organizational charts of the current and proposed Department structures are provided.