NCJ Number
97144
Date Published
Unknown
Length
48 pages
Annotation
This 1981-82 study evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of consolidated law enforcement services in Nebraska, based on perceptions of the county commissioners, city officials, and police officials who participated in the consolidation arrangements.
Abstract
The study's data collection used different attitude questionnaires for each of the three types of officials surveyed in the 25 jurisdictions studied. Fifty-six percent of the county commissioners surveyed, 80 percent of the law enforcement officials, and 54 percent of the city officials returned their questionnaires. Advantages and disadvantages of various methods of consolidation were addressed, and support for contract law enforcement was reported. Further, the majority of the respondents supported the continuation of contract law enforcement in Nebraska. Fifty-nine percent said that contract law enforcement could be improved by organizing a countywide department through the current sheriff's office, under the management and guidance of a joint committee comprised of city and county officials. The major advantages of contract law enforcement were stated to be the development and delivery of professional police services, the development of consistent law enforcement policies and programs, and more proficient handling of serious crimes. The survey instruments are included, as are 2 tables and 39 references.