Law Enforcement Needs and Options of Caroline County, Maryland

• NCJ Number: 152763
• Author(s): J E Bilanin; C D Baker; P G Favero; B S Hawk; V K Tervala
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 70 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Maryland
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; University of Maryland
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Project C-21

Annotation

This study examines present and projected law enforcement needs of Caroline County, Maryland, where officials and residents commonly perceive that crime-related problems are increasing and that existing law enforcement agencies cannot adequately provide a solution.

Abstract

Under State statute and common law, law enforcement duty in the county is shared by the State's Attorney, sheriff, county governing body, Maryland State Police, and municipal governing bodies. After examining the staffing patterns and resources of these agencies, the study team made several recommendations regarding the approach of the sheriff's department toward administrative, staffing, personnel, and community relations policies. There are three options for Caroline County law enforcement: continue to provide police services through the sheriff's department, create a county police force, or contract with the Maryland State Police to provide resident troopers. The report concludes that an analysis of the three options in terms of cost, accountability, liability, quality of service, and coordination does not point to one clearly superior option. 11 tables, 14 figures, 29 notes, and 11 appendixes