NCJ Number
18062
Date Published
1973
Length
79 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE EXISTING POLICE ARRANGEMENTS AND DISCUSSES ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION FOR MORE EFFECTIVE POLICE PROTECTION IN CHESTER COUNTY (PA).
Abstract
THE FIRST CHAPTER DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF THE MODERN POLICE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION FOR PERFORMANCE OF PRIMARY POLICE DUTIES, A PERSONNEL PROGRAM, COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORD SYSTEMS. THE NEXT SECTION DESCRIBES THE 47 MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS. CHAPTER THREE DISCUSSES THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS. IT POINTS OUT SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN THE FOUR DIFFERENT STATE CODES GOVERNING MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT; IT TRACES PROVISIONS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL COOPERATION ACT, THE MUNICIPALITY AUTHORITIES ACT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMPARE ACT, AND THE HOME RULE CHARTER AND OPTIONAL PLANS LAW WHICH WOULD PERMIT VARIOUS ARRANGEMENTS FOR POLICE PROTECTION IN CHESTER COUNTY. THE FINAL CHAPTER PRESENTS SEVERAL ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF IMPROVING POLICE PROTECTION SERVICES IN CHESTER COUNTY: (1) IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE PRESENT SYSTEM; (2) REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY; (3) COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND (4) COMBINATION OF LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, REGIONAL, AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN QUESTIONNAIRES THAT WERE USED TO GATHER DATA FOR THE SURVEY.