Lebanon (Oregon) Police Department - A Descriptive Study

• NCJ Number: 79909
• Author(s): C A Tracy
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 126 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Lebanon City Council
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Findings and recommendations are presented from a descriptive study of the Lebanon Police Department (Oregon).

Abstract

The description of the Lebanon police system was developed from analysis of (1) the department's general goals and objectives, specifically, its overall performance measures; (2) the environment in which it functions; (3) its resources; (4) its components--their activities, goals, and measures of performance; and (5) its management. Data were obtained from interviews with department personnel, observations of the department's physical facilities, analysis of department documents, a survey of public opinion about police service, and interviews with city and county officials and community leaders. The study found a lack of direction in the department. Leadership appears to be weak, and there are practically no written policies, procedures, and rules to guide personnel in determining proper courses of action. Control of departmental affairs is inadequate, inspection is haphazard, feedback is insufficient, research activities are unstructured, and disciplinary procedures are too informal. The organizational structure is more specialized than necessary and does not permit maximum use of personnel resources. The chain of command within the department is not clear in some areas and inappropriate in others. These organizational and management weaknesses have contributed to poor cost effectiveness of services and poor morale among line officers. Recommendations are offered in the areas of goals, objectives, and performance measures; resources (personnel, public relations, and facilities); components (crime prevention, crime investigation, traffic control, detention, and information processing); management; control; discipline; organizational structure; planning; and personnel distribution. A plan of action for implementing the recommendations is presented. Tables, figures, and footnotes are included. Materials used in the study are appended; a bibliography of 30 listings is provided.