NCJ Number
61203
Date Published
1978
Length
128 pages
Annotation
THIS 1978 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WEST MIDLANDS, ENGLAND, POLICE CONSIDERS ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION, OFFICER TRAINING, THE CRIME RATE, OFFENDER PROCESSING, TRAFFIC OFFENSES, OFFICER BENEFITS, AND LICENSING.
Abstract
FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND REVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AIMED AT RATIONALIZING DEPARTMENTAL PRACTICES HAVE OCCURRED IN 1978. FOLLOWING A DISAPPOINTING MANPOWER SITUATION AT THE END OF 1977, 549 MEN AND WOMEN WERE RECRUITED INTO THE FORCE, IN 1978, WHICH IMPROVED THE MANPOWER LEVEL BY 130. THERE WAS A NET GAIN OF 6 MEN, WHILE THE NET INCREASE OF WOMEN WAS 124. THE UPWARD TREND IN CRIME SHOWN IN 1977 CONTINUED IN 1978, WITH AN INCREASE OF 20.5 PERCENT IN JANUARY OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1977 AND A LESSENING INCREASE FOR EACH MONTH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. ARSON HAD AN INCREASE OF 39 PERCENT. THE NUMBER OF REPORTED ROAD ACCIDENTS DROPPED 5 PERCENT IN 1978 COMPARED WITH 1977. RESTRICTIONS ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURES WHICH HAVE PREVAILED FOR SEVERAL YEARS APPEAR TO BE EASING SOMEWHAT, AND PERMISSION WAS GRANTED TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR A SUBDIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS. TRAINING HAS CONCENTRATED ON COURSES FOR UNIFORMED OFFICERS. TUTOR CONSTABLES, RESIDENT BEAT OFFICERS, AND STATION OFFICERS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE SPECIALIST TRAINING, AND BOTH SERGEANTS AND CONSTABLES ATTEND REFRESHER COURSES AT REGULAR INTERVALS. SEMINARS INVOLVING POLICE, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND PROBATION SERVICE HAVE CONTINUED, AND THE SOCIAL AGENCIES HAVE BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN FORMAL TRAINING WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. EFFORTS WERE UNDERTAKEN TO IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND IMMIGRANT GROUPS. ALTHOUGH DIFFICULTIES HAVE REMAINED BETWEEN THE POLICE MINORITY GROUPS, THEY HAVE BEEN CONTAINED THROUGH QUICK DISCUSSIONS AND RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY LEADERS. TABULAR AND GRAPHIC DATA ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)