NCJ Number
177759
Date Published
1996
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This guidebook combines elements of two important priorities of the National League of Cities, providing high-quality and cost-effective services to citizens and improving public safety in cities and towns, and describes benchmarking as a approach to helping city government agencies become more efficient.
Abstract
Benchmarking is defined as a continuous process of comparing an organization's systems and services to the best in the field. The guidebook contains step-by-step procedures on how to design and implement a benchmarking program for local law enforcement agencies. Focusing on law enforcement processes (investigations, arrests, and bookings) and outcomes (arrests and crime rates), the guidebook contains practical information on identifying activities suitable for benchmarking, analyzing performance gaps, setting improvement goals, establishing action plans, monitoring and evaluating performance, and recalibrating goals. The guidebook demonstrates benchmarking is an important method local law enforcement agencies can use to identify innovations, control costs, and improve the quality of public safety services. 24 endnotes and 18 exhibits