CASE FOR DESPECIALIZATION OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS (FROM POLICE PATROL READINGS, 2D ED. 1970, BY SAMUEL G CHAPMAN - SEE NCJ-01974)

• NCJ Number: 15193
• Author(s): P STINSON
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. ARTICLE FROM THE JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1961.

Annotation

AN ARGUMENT THAT OVERSPECIALIZATION PRODUCES INEFFICIENCY, WHEREAS, BETTER TRAINING OF PATROLMEN AND REVISION AND SIMPLIFICATION OF INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES WILL INCREASE EFFICIENCY WITHOUT LOSING EFFECTIVENESS.

Abstract

DEPTH TEACHING OF TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ACCIDENT REPORTING TO ALL PATROLMEN, SAMPLE METHOD OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, SIMPLIFICATION OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT, USE OF A SMALL STAFF UNIT, REPORTING OF ROUTINE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY PATROL DIVISIONS, AND REDUCTION OF SPECIAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR STUDY. IRRELEVENT BUREAUCRATIZATION, PERSONNEL JEALOUSIES, AND LACK OF CHALLENGE FOR LOWER ECHELON PATROLMEN IS SAID TO RESULT FROM OVER SPECIALIZATION. IT IS ARGUED THAT SPECIALIZATION SHOULD OCCUR ONLY WHEN THE LOAD EXCEEDS THE CAPACITY OF WELL TRAINED PATROLMEN TO DO THE JOB.