NCJ Number
38036
Date Published
1973
Length
24 pages
Annotation
DATED OCTOBER 12, 1973, THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF POLICE MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND RELATIONS FOR THE CENTERVILLE (IA) POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS 9 SWORN AND 4 NONSWORN PERSONNEL.
Abstract
CENTERVILLE IS A SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA COMMUNITY WITH A POPULATION OF 6,500. IT IS LOCATED 85 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DES MOINES AND 11 MILES NORTH OF THE MISSOURI BORDER. THIS REPORT FIRST PROVIDES AN ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL SETTING, THE COMMUNITY ATTITUDE TOWARD THE POLICE, THE CHIEF OF POLICE, THE CRIME PROFILE IN CENTERVILLE, AND THE POLICE RESPONSE TO CRIME. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME IN CENTERVILLE WAS HIGH, AND THAT POLICE LACKED ADEQUATE DIRECTION AND TRAINING IN DEALING WITH THE CRIME PROBLEM. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT WAS FOUND TO BE SOUND. INFORMATION IS ALSO INCLUDED ON CENTERVILLE'S POLICE PLANNING, BUDGET, AND PERSONNEL. FINALLY, INFORMATION ON THE MANPOWER DEPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION OF CENTERVILLE POLICE IS PROVIDED. THE STUDY FOUND: THE CITY'S POLITICAL LEADERSHIP HAS NOT PROVIDED GUIDANCE TO POLICE IN TERMS OF POLICY AND GOALS; THAT LITTLE IS BEING DONE TO RECTIFY THE INCREASES IN THE CRIME RATE; AND THAT POLICE GOALS, DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES HAVE NOT BEEN DEFINED. TO REMEDY THESE PROBLEMS, THE STUDY RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY OF CENTERVILLE TAKE STEPS TO ENTER INTO A JOINT AGREEMENT WITH THE SURROUNDING COUNTY TO CREATE AND SUPPORT A SINGLE POLICE AGENCY COMPOSED OF THE COMBINED RESOURCES OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, TECHNICAL SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS UNDER THE NEW PROPOSED COMBINED POLICE FORCE ARE INCLUDED.