Difficulties of Definition and the Measurement of Police Productivity (From Compte rendu de l'atelier sur la productivite de la police, P 5-12, 1980, Peter Engstad and Michele Lioy, ed. - See NCJ-74581)

• NCJ Number: 74582
• Author(s): R F Lunney
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: French
• Country: Canada

Annotation

Objectives and methods of measuring police productivity are discussed.

Abstract

The objective of improving police productivity is to facilitate optimal management of human resources. Measurement of productivity is necessary to show evidence of police competence to governmental authorities and the public. Steps in increasing productivity are establishment of objectives, identification of goals, and determination of performance indicators. Indices of productivity are efficacity (i.e., achievement of results without regard to outlay), and efficiency (e.g., achievement of a given result in the cheapest fashion). Police performance indices have traditionally been based on crime rate in indictment statistics, but these measures have proved inaccurate because of the various means of collecting the data, differing police priorities, and divergent crime patterns in the different geographical and social regions. Crime statistics do, however, have a certain validity for measuring police performance within a particular jurisdiction. To measure performance accurately, indices must reflect police functions in operations, information, and administrative areas. Operational indices may be reaction time, service time, number of criminal matters handled by each unit, victimization, and public opinion. Information indices may be the accuracy of vehicle information, speed of communications, or response time for information on wanted persons. For administration, traditional indicators such as absenteeism and efficacy of the systems of evaluation and promotion can be supplemented by such indices as systematic interaction among sections, the degree of optimism, and capacity for new growth. Budget and cost-analysis indicators can be applied to all functions. When establishing indices, police management must decide whether to evaluate individual or division performance and must establish a set of norms based on experience and existing data. The measurement system must be geared to the particular situation, with consideration of geographical differences and operational variation. The final criterion for the effectiveness of police resource management is the satisfaction of the public as measured with new survey systems using the integrated circuits of television. The development of new indices for assessing public attitudes must be considered a high priority objective. No references are cited. --in French.