NCJ Number
94153
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1984) Pages: 221-226
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Many factors, including some outside the control of any city administration, determine the success or failure of a public safety program and may prevent the possibility of a consolidation of police and fire services.
Abstract
Consolidation first took place in the United States almost 70 years ago. In the early 20th century, consolidations generally involved small suburban areas or residential communities with little crime and few fires. Consolidation became more attractive in the 1950's and early 1960's due to rising costs, city expansion, rising crime rates, and the increasingly popular argument that the working hours of firefighters were not fully used. Consolidated departments vary in their organization and may use full consolidation, partial consolidation, selected-area consolidations, functional consolidation, and nominal consolidation. Several professional organizations have opposed consolidation. More firefighters than police resist consolidation, mainly because it has a larger effect on their jobs and work schedules. Both police officers and firefighters have argued that the degree of specialization needed in modern police and fire work makes the merger of the two services unfeasible. Consolidation proposals also face major problems in cities where police officers and firefighters are organized. A feasibility study should precede any effort at merger. State laws, municipal charter, and traditions all impinge on consolidations. Cooperation between labor and management is crucial in any consolidation. Descriptions of consolidated departments in eight cities and seven references are supplied.