NCJ Number
44186
Date Published
1977
Length
72 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REDEPLOYMENT OF PATROL OFFICERS BY THE NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE DEVELOPED FROM AN ANALYSIS OF SERVICE NEED INDICATORS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
Abstract
THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT HAS 336 SWORN OFFICERS, 198 OF WHOM ARE ASSIGNED AS PATROL OFFICERS. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SWORN PERSONNEL TO PERFORM ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. MOST AREAS OF THE STATE HAVE ONLY TWO-SHIFT POLICE/PATROL COVERAGE BY UNIFORMED STATE OFFICERS. IN SOME RURAL, ONE-OFFICER STATIONS, THE OFFICER WORKS GENERAL HOURS AND IS ON CALL THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME. TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO ASSIGN AVAILABLE PATROL OFFICERS, THE FOLLOWING NEED INDICATORS ARE EXAMINED: ABSOLUTE POPULATION; POPULATION GROWTH RATES; LAND AREA; CRIME RATES; NUMBER OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS BEING HANDLED IN EACH DISTRICT BY STATE POLICE OFFICERS; SEASONAL VARIATIONS DUE TO TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES; NUMBER AND RATE OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND ACCIDENTS WITHIN A DISTRICT OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS; ARREST RATES FOR DRUNK DRIVERS; VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS; NUMBER OF MILES TRAVELLED BY POLICE VEHICLES ANNUALLY; MILES OF RURAL ROADWAY; RURAL POPULATION WITHOUT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; AND OVERALL RATIO OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF ALL TYPES TO 100,000 POPULATION. THE NEED INDICATORS ARE EXAMINED ON A STATEWIDE BASIS AND ON A DISTRICT-BY-DISTRICT BASIS. THE WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION AMONG DISTRICTS IS CALCULATED, AND A FORMULA FOR ALLOCATING STATE PATROL OFFICERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION IS PRESENTED. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED.