NCJ Number
59650
Date Published
1979
Length
50 pages
Annotation
FOUR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA POLICE FORCES WERE REVIEWED BY THE U.S. COMPTROLLER GENERAL'S OFFICE IN 1979; RESULTS POINT TO A NEED TO IMPROVE PAROLE AND PROCUREMENT PRACTICES AND TO COORDINATE IDENTIFICATION SERVICES.
Abstract
THIS COMPILIATION OF NINE APPENDIXES REPORTS ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE PRACTICES OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE U.S. PARK POLICE, THE CAPITOL POLICE, AND THE METRO TRANSIT POLICE WHICH REVEALS DUPLICATION OF EFFORT AND FACILITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS. FOR INSTANCE, THE PARK AND METROPOLITAN POLICE PATROL IDENTICAL JURISDICTIONS IN SOME LOCATIONS. THEY BOTH MAINTAIN THEIR OWN PHOTOGRAPHY AND FINGERPRINTING FACILITIES, SOMETIMES REPEATING THE IDENTIFICATION PROCESSING OF ARRESTEES. THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL SUGGESTS RESTRUCTURING JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES TO AVOID OVERLAP AND COORDINATING IDENTIFICATION SERVICES WHERE POSSIBLE. FURTHERMORE, THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL RECOMMENDS THAT THE POLICE FORCES HIRE LESS COSTLY GUARDS AND CIVILIANS TO DO THE PROTECTION WORK, CLERICAL JOBS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS THAT ARE NOW BEING DONE BY POLICE OFFICERS. THE FORCES ALSO SHOULD PURCHASE UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT FROM THE LEAST COSTLY SOURCE, AND FROM THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION WHEN ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL. BESIDES THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS, THIS REPORT CONTAINS A NOTE ON EFFECTIVENESS MEASURES USED BY THE METROPOLITAN POLICE FORCE (NUMBER OF CRIME INDEX OFFENSES, NUMBER OF CASES NOT BEING PROSECUTED DUE TO POLICE OFFICER'S MISHANDLING, AND CLOSURE RATES); AN ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRICT'S CRIME SITUATION IN RELATION TO THAT OF OTHER CITIES USING CRIME STATISTICS FOR D.C., AND 20 CITIES OF COMPARABLE SIZE; BACKGROUND MATERIAL ON THE 4 POLICE FORCES REVIEWED; AND LETTERS FROM VARIOUS OFFICIALS CONCERNING THE REPORT. (DAG)