NCJ Number
35876
Date Published
1973
Length
28 pages
Annotation
AUGUST 1973 REPORT ON A STUDY WHICH EVALUATED THE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE LONGVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
Abstract
THE CITY OF LONGIVEW COVERS AN AREA OF 27.6 SQUARE MILES, HAS AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 55,400, AND A TOTAL POLICE STRENGTH OF 96. THE EVALUATION STUDY CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING AREAS: ADMINISTRATION, PATROL, TRAFFIC, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, RECORDS, COMMINICATIONS, AND THE JAIL. ANALYSES AND EVALUATIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS, ARE BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH THE CITY MANAGER, THE CHIEF OF POLICE, AND MEMBERS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND THE EXAMINATION OF REPORTS, RECORDS, AND DEPARTMENTAL OPERATING PROCEDURES. THE PRINCIPAL STUDY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS WERE THAT THE OVERLAPPING ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AS BOTH INEFFICIENT AND INEFFECTUAL RESULTING IN DEFICIENCIES IN ALMOST EVERY DIVISION. IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING POLICE FACILITIES (INCLUDING THE JAIL) WERE FOUND TO BE SERIOUSLY OVERCROWDED, THE RECORDS SYSTEM WAS JUDGED FRAGMENTED AND INCOMPLETE, THE TRAINING NEEDS OF DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WAS LABELLED AS NEGLECTED, AND NO ORGANIZED COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM WAS REVEALED. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTING ALL THESE DEFICIENCIES ARE OFFERED, INCLUDING PLANS FOR DEPARTMENTAL REORGANIZATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POLICE FACILITIES BUILDING.