NCJ Number
38292
Date Published
1976
Length
172 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK IS A CASE STUDY OF THE RESEARCH EFFORTS, FINDINGS, EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF A STUDY OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WASHINGTON, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
Abstract
IN 1970, SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WASHINGTON, SECURED FUNDS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND ANALYSIS OF THE NEED FOR CERTAIN COORDINATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF THOSE AGENCIES' SERVICES. AT THAT TIME, SNOHOMISH COUNTY INCLUDED SOME 2050 SQUARE MILES, A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 250,000 PERSONS, AND 19 INDIVIDUAL JURISDICTIONS (18 MUNICIPALITIES AND THE COUNTY ITSELF) WITH SIMILAR OR COMMON CRIME PROBLEMS RECOGNIZED AS NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO SOLUTION WITHOUT A JOINING OF RESOURCES. THIS BOOK PROVIDES GUIDES TO COORDINATION AND TO COOPERATIVE EFFORT OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, SHORT OF MERGER. USING A TASK FORCE CONFERENCE MECHANISM (WHICH TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION COMMUNITY, POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND TECHNICAL CONCERNS) THE FOLLOWING AREAS WERE ANALYZED: THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE; THE POLICE SERVICES IN THE FIELD; PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT; RECORDS AND COMMUNICATIONS; REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES; AND OTHER CONCERNS SUCH AS CITIZEN REACTION TO POLICE SERVICES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A CENTER BE CREATED TO PROVIDE SUPERIOR STAFF AND AUXILIARY SERVICES, OF KINDS APPROPRIATE TO LOCAL NEEDS, TO ALL POLICE AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY. THIS CENTER FOR POLICE STAFF AND AUXILIARY SERVICES WOULD BE ESTABLISHED UNDER PROVISIONS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON INDEX-LOCAL COOPERATION ACT (ICA), WHICH PERMITS TWO OR MORE PUBLIC AGENCIES TO FORMALLY ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH ONE ANOTHER TO JOINTLY PROVIDE SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO BE MUTUALLY ADVANTAGEOUS. THE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THIS CENTER ARE THEN DEFINED WITH THE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND STAFF SUGGESTIONS SET OUT. STAFF AND AUXILIARY SERVICES, ESPECIALLY TRAINING AND COMMUNICATIONS, ARE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY. FEATURED IS THE CONCEPT OF A PERSONNEL POOL TO COVER TEMPORARY MANPOWER SHORTAGES CAUSED BY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, ILLNESS, AND ANNUAL LEAVE. A STEP-BY-STEP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS ALSO DETAILED. IN ADDITION, SPECIFIC ANCILLARY PROPOSALS REGARDING FINANCIAL MATTERS AND FUNDING PROPOSALS OF A WIDELY VARYING NATURE ARE EXAMINED. ALTHOUGH A POLICE SERVICES CENTER IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, FOR THE LONG VIEW IT IS PROPOSED THAT THREE NEW ELEMENTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT BE ESTABLISHED WHICH, IN COMBINATION, WOULD ASSUME ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THOSE OF THE CENTER. THE THREE AGENCIES PROPOSED ARE A COUNTY OFFICE OF COURT SERVICES, A COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, AND A COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE LAST CHAPTER PRESENTS A SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN BY COUNTY AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ON THESE AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FIVE YEARS FOLLOWING THE STUDY.