NCJ Number
60614
Date Published
1977
Length
160 pages
Annotation
ALTERNATIVES TO THE TRADITIONAL USE OF SWORN OR UNIFORMED PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL ARE PRESENTED WITH EMPHASIS ON THE USE OF CIVILIAN PARAPROFESSIONALS IN MUNICIPAL EMPLOYMENT OR UNDER PRIVATE CONTRACT.
Abstract
IN THE SERVICE DELIVERY ALTERNATIVE OF 'CIVILIANIZATION,' GOVERNMENT RETAINS ITS PROVIDER RESPONSIBILITIES BUT USES LOWER PRICED CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES TO PERFORM DESIGNATED TASKS FORMERLY CARRIED OUT BY SWORN PERSONNEL. THESE TASKS ARE PERFORMED MORE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY BY MUNICIPAL PERSONNEL WHO ACHIEVE GREATER JOB SATISFACTION THAN DO UNIFORMED OFFICERS IN SUCH TASKS AS TRAFFIC CONTROL OR RADIO DISPATCHING. IN 'PRIVATIZATION,' THE CITY OR STATE RECASTS ITS ROLE FROM PROVIDER TO PURCHASER OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE OF COMPETITION IN WHICH PRIVATE FIRMS VIE FOR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC. PURCHASING OF SERVICES HAS FREQUENTLY OCCURRED FOR SUCH TASKS AS ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SANITATION AND MANY CLERICAL POSITIONS IN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE HELD BY CIVILIANS. THE FULL EXTENT TO WHICH CIVILIAN APPLICATION MAY BE USED DESERVES EXAMINATION. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT PRIVATE CONTRACTING FOR FULL POLICE PROTECTION DOES NOT OFFER A PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE, BUT IT WOULD BE COST EFFECTIVE TO CONSIDER HIRING CIVILIANS AS ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS, NONHAZARDOUS CRIME INVESTIGATORS, AND FOLLOWUP SUPERVISORS. COST SAVINGS OF CIVILIAN USE ARE ATTRIBUTED TO SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFIT DIFFERENTIALS AND TO THE USE OF LESS COSTLY VEHICLES. SAVINGS OF BETWEEN 4 TO 10 PERCENT COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH CIVILIANIZATION OF SELECTED SERVICES. THE USE OF CIVILIANS IS NOT A PANACEA FOR THE FISCAL BURDENS FACING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. BECAUSE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVES REPRESENT MANAGEMENT INNOVATIONS, MUNICIPALITIES MUST HAVE A REQUISITE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE ALTERNATIVES. APPENDIXES PRESENT DATA FROM THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (TWK)