PARAMETERS ARE PROPOSED FOR MEASURING PATROL OUTPUT AND SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN TO IMPROVING POLICE PATROL EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY.
ONLY THE APPREHENSION OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS FUNCTION IS ANALYZED HERE, BUT PARALLELS CAN BE DRAWN TO THE OTHER PRIMARY PATROL OBJECTIVES - THE DETERRENCE OF CRIME AND THE PROVISION OF NON-CRIME SERVICES. A MORE ACCURATE INDICATOR THAN NUMBER OF ARRESTS IS NEEDED. THE QUALITY OF ARRESTS CAN BE CONSIDERED IF, FOR INSTANCE, ONLY THOSE ARRESTS THAT LEAD TO CONVICTIONS ARE COUNTED. THIS MEASUREMENT IS MORE IN LINE WITH THE GOAL OF POLICE PATROLS - THE MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING PATROL PRODUCTIVITY INCLUDE REDUCING TIME SPENT IN COURT, REDUCING VEHICLE DOWNTIME, TAKING REPORTS OVER THE PHONE, AND REDUCING EXCESSIVE TIME SPENT ON CALLS.