NCJ Number
231728
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 38 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2010 Pages: 506-511
Date Published
July 2010
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After examining "green" (environmental/energy conservation) initiatives in policing within the context of the broader "green" movement, this article considers theoretical reasons for such initiatives, the pros and cons of "going green," and related research issues and hypotheses for future study.
Abstract
"Green" initiatives by police agencies have ranged from building energy-efficient police facilities to replacing gas guzzling cruisers with more fuel-efficient vehicles and using battery-operated road flares. This parallels "greening" initiatives being undertaken by other public-sector agencies. Still, "green" initiatives are the exception rather than the rule in police management priorities. Possible reasons for taking "green" issues into account in policing decisions include cost savings and projecting a commitment to constituents' environmental, energy, and climate concerns. Criticisms of "green" policing are that it is more symbolic than practical, undermines the effectiveness of police operations, and involves expensive initial cost outlays that may not produce long-term cost savings. These criticisms, however, have not been validated by research, but the same can be said for arguments in favor of "green" policing. Researchers must focus on whether the benefits of going "green" outweigh the costs. A starting point might be to focus on a particular police activity in order to determine whether "green" initiatives for that activity are cost-effective. Without further research, police planners cannot know whether the benefits of going "green" outweigh the costs. 67 references