NCJ Number
13594
Date Published
1974
Length
225 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF UNIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHIN COUNTIES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO EXISTING SYSTEMS OF OVERLAPPING JURISDICTION.
Abstract
IOWA, LIKE MOST STATES IN THE COUNTRY, IS FACED WITH A MAJOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEM STEMMING FROM TWO OR MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHIN EACH COUNTY. AS A RESULT OF THIS OVERLAPPING JURISDICTION, PROBLEMS OF COORDINATION, DUPLICATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFORTS, AND FINANCIAL INEFFICIENCY HAVE ARISEN. THIS PAPER SETS OUT POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES AND DISCUSSES THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF EACH. THE STUDY RECOMMENDS THAT UNIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE A MINIMUM COUNTY-WIDE JURISDICTION OR A SERVICE AREA WITH 7000 PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, SALARIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL SHOULD BE COMPETITIVE WITH THEIR INDUSTRIAL COUNTERPARTS. SHERIFFS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM POLITICS OR BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS. IOWA SHOULD ALLOW FOR BROADER RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND CONSIDER A STANDARD LAW ENFORCEMENT CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM. APPENDED ARE A SAMPLE UNIFICATION PROBLEM AND SOLUTIONS, NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION STANDARD 5.2 ON POLICE UNIFICATION, AND THE FT. MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATING PROCEDURES.