LEAA (LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION) TASK FORCE REPORT, MAY 14, 1971

• NCJ Number: 18321
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 42 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AFTER AN EXTENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PURPOSES AND OPERATION OF LEAA, THE TASK FORCE FORMULATED THIS SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE RESTRUCTURING OF LEAA.

Abstract

THE ESSENTIAL THREAD RUNNING THROUGH THE ENTIRE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION IS THE DECENTRALIZATION OF THE LEAA OPERATION BY EXPANDING MARKEDLY THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REGIONAL OFFICES AS THE BEST MEANS OF IMPROVING THE DELIVERY SYSTEM. TO PROVIDE THAT THE REGIONAL OFFICES WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR EXPANDED RESPONSIBILITY, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN STAFF AND RESOURCES ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THESE OFFICES. RELATED TO THIS IS THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE WASHINGTON OFFICE PLACE GREATER EMPHASIS ON LEADERSHIP, POLICY-MAKING, SUPPORT AND COORDINATION FUNCTIONS, AND SHIFT THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXECUTION TO THE REGIONAL OFFICES. THE TASK FORCE BELIEVES MUCH MORE STRESS MUST BE PLACED ON DEVELOPING AN 'IMPACT' CONCEPT-GEARING OPERATIONS FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT ON THE PROBLEM. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A HIGH LEVEL INSPECTION AND REVIEW OFFICE BE ESTABLISHED AS A STAFF FUNCTION TO THE OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. LIKEWISE, A STRENGTHENING OF THE EXTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION IS RECOMMENDED WITH THE GENERAL GUIDELINE AND GOAL OF SHIFTING THE FINANCIAL AUDIT FUNCTION TO STATE AUDIT AGENCIES TO BE ASSISTED AND GUIDED BY LEAA. ANOTHER MAJOR THRUST OF THIS RECOMMENDATION IS TO CONSOLIDATE ALLIED FUNCTIONS TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF EFFORT, MAINLY BY SHIFTING ALL PURELY SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS TO THE NEWLY PROPOSED OFFICE OF OPERATIONS SUPPORT SO THAT THE PROGRAM AND SUBSTANTIVE AREAS CAN BETTER CONCENTRATE ON THEIR MISSIONS. SPECIFICALLY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT LEAA BE RESTRUCTURED INTO EIGHT OFFICES DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATION. STAFF FUNCTION OFFICES WOULD BE AUDIT, INSPECTION AND REVIEW, GENERAL COUNSEL. CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE, AND PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL LIAISON. LINE FUNCTION OFFICES WOULD BE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND THE OFFICE OF OPERATIONS SUPPORT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)