NCJ Number
207853
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 74,76,78,80,81
Editor(s)
Ed Sanow
Date Published
October 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents results from a survey of law enforcement administrators on “call windows” or time-limit windows as a viable police concept and how a local police department in Louisiana successfully implemented time limit windows.
Abstract
Results of a law enforcement administrator survey conducted to determine if “call windows” or time-limit windows are viable policing concepts found that of the 34 agencies that responded, 96 percent said they did not have maximum time-limit windows in place. However, 52 percent admitted that they would consider placing time limits on calls if evidence suggested that such a policy would improve service. A variety of reasons were presented as to why they would not put a time-limit window in place: (1) it would not improve service; (2) it is not a feasible policy; (3) there is no such thing as a routine call; (4) time windows violate community-oriented policing and problem solving principles; and (5) the time limit could be detrimental to police-citizen interaction and service quality. The Lafayette, Louisiana Police Department considered all the arguments for and against time-limit windows and implemented one successfully in 2003. The 35-minute time-limit window does not apply to major calls, such as complicated traffic accidents, searching for a suspect, when an officer needs to protect a crime scene, lives, or property. After 35 minutes, the officer must ask his/her sergeant for permission to spend 10 more minutes. After 45 minutes, the officer must ask his/her lieutenant for 15 minutes more. After 60 minutes, the officer must obtain permission from the watch commander for additional time. To achieve public acceptance of the new approach, the policy would apply only to routine calls. The results have been successful.