NCJ Number
76693
Date Published
1981
Length
201 pages
Annotation
Current police practices in response to citizen calls for service are explored, and a decision model for applying response alternatives is presented.
Abstract
The results and the model are based on (1) a review of literature establishing present police call classification and response practices, (2) a survey of over 200 police agencies exploring service response practices, and (3) an indepth exploration of police responses in 4 selected cities (Birmingham, Ala.; Peoria, Ill.; Hartford, Conn.; and San Jose, Calif.). Research results indicate that nearly all citizen calls for service are answered with the dispatch of a patrol unit. In many cases, however, this response does not significantly advance the collection of evidence, apprehension of suspects, availability of witnesses, or citizen satisfaction. Although 80 percent of the agencies surveyed use some form of alternative to dispatching a patrol unit, none of the departments appear to have developed a system for applying a full range of differential responses to different types of citizen calls for service. Designed by a team of police practitioners and researchers, the decision model consists of three essential components: (1) a set of characteristics to define a type of incident; (2) a time factor to identify the relationship between the time the incident occurred and the time the call was received by the police; and (3) a full range of response strategies, including delayed sworn officer response, telephone reporting, and referral of the caller to another agency. Since it has not been tested or evaluated operationally, the model is presented as a point of departure and needs to be adapted to the requirements of individual departments. The study includes detailed appendixes on the staffing of the project, the survey instruments and tables, and the results of the study in chart form. Approximately 120 references are included.