NCJ Number
29577
Date Published
1975
Length
90 pages
Annotation
A REPORT OF THE HOME OFFICE POLICE RESEARCH SERVICES UNIT ON THE NATURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF WORKLOAD IN URBAN AREA UNIT BEAT POLICING.
Abstract
USING DATA COMPILED IN 1973 ON NINE BRITISH POLICE FORCES, THE STUDY TEAM EXAMINED THE WORKLOADS, BENEFITS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS OF THE UNIT BEAT SYSTEM. PRIOR TO 1967 THE MAIN PATROL EFFORT OF UNIFORMED POLICE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS CARRIED OUT ON FOOT OR ON BICYCLES. THE INTRODUCTION OF SMALL POLICE CARS AND PERSONAL UHF RADIOS UNDER THE GENERAL CONCEPT OF UNIT BEAT POLICING PROVIDED A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE BRITISH POLICE SERVICE. THE STUDY TEAM'S OVERALL CONCLUSION IS THAT THE IDEA OF UNIT BEAT POLICING, ALTHOUGH BENEFICIAL, HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED TO THE POINT OF ACHIEVING ITS FULL POTENTIAL. THE IMPROVED MOBILITY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AND THE NEW SYSTEM OF POLICING, HAVE ENABLED AN ANNUAL INCREASE IN WORKLOAD WITHOUT COMMENSURATE INCREASE IN MANPOWER. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE REGARDING A MORE FLEXIBLE IMPLEMENTATION TO SUIT LOCAL CONDITIONS AND GREATER EXPLOITATION OF THE AREA CONSTABLE'S POTENTIAL FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC. THE KEY TO THE LATTER EFFORT IS THE COLLATOR WHO EVALUATES THIS INFORMATION AND MAKES IT AVAILABLE WHERE IT CAN HAVE THE BEST EFFECT. DEPLOYMENT AND WORKLOAD DATA ARE SUPPLIED IN A DETAILED APPENDIX.