NCJ Number
45946
Date Published
1977
Length
56 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE PERSONNEL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL BUREAU BE ABOLISHED, AND THAT THE ABSENTEE CONTROL FUNCTION BE RETAINED BUT OVERHAULED.
Abstract
THE PERSONNEL SERVICES DIVISION HANDLES A RANGE OF PROGRAMS DEALING WITH HEALTH CARE, MORALE, AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY DESIGNED TO RETAIN EMPLOYEES OR RETURN THEM TO DUTY. DURING THE STUDY, THESE SERVICES INCLUDED A SICK DESK, A FIELD SQUAD, PART-TIME POLICE SURGEONS, PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS, X-RAY, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ALCOHOLIC COUNSELING, MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION, A CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, MILITARY LEAVE AND EXTENDED LEAVE OFFICE, AND DEFENSE COUNSEL. AFTER ANALYZING THE STRUCTURE OF THIS DIVISION, THE STUDY GROUP CONCLUDED THAT, FROM AN ORGANIZATIONAL STANDPOINT, THERE NO LONGER APPEARS TO BE ADEQUATE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE LAYERING OF SUPERVISION WITHIN THE DIVISION SINCE CERTAIN OTHER UNITS OF THE DIVISION HAVE BEEN TRANSFERED ELSEWHERE. IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONSOLIDATE THE DIVISIONAL AND MEDICAL SECTION COMMAND WITH MODEST COST SAVINGS AND TO REDESIGNATE THE MEDICAL SECTION'S THREE UNITS AS 'SECTIONS' FOR BETTER ORGANIZATIONAL SYMMETRY. THE STUDY STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THE ELIMINATION OF THE DIVISION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN TO REDISTRIBUTE SOME OF THE OPERATING COMPONENTS OF THE MEDICAL SECTION TO OTHER PARTS OF THE PERSONNEL BUREAU. THE REMAINING COMPONENTS COULD COMPRISE A NEW HEALTH CARE OR MEDICAL SECTION REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF THE PERSONNEL BUREAU. THIS WOULD SAVE THE ENTIRE COST OF A DIVISION COMMAND, ELIMINATE FRACTIONAL LOSSES, PERMIT POTENTIALLY EXTENSIVE CLERICAL AND OTHER OPERATING SAVINGS, AND ALLOW MORE FLEXIBLE USE OF PERSONNEL THROUGH CONSOLIDATION OF LIKE FUNCTIONS. THE STUDY ALSO RECOMMENDS THE RETENTION AND OVERHAUL OF THE DIVISION'S ABSENCE CONTROL FUNCTION. THE PERSONNEL BUREAU IS URGED TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO PHASE OUT ALL OR A MAJOR PORTION OF THE PART-TIME POLICE SURGEONS AND TO REPLACE THEIR LIMITED FUNCTION WITH AN EXPANDED, CENTRALLY LOCATED FULL-TIME CLINIC STAFFED BY PERSONNEL WHO ARE NOT SWORN MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT; REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT FOR ABSENCE CERTIFICATION BY A POLICE SURGEON IN SPECIFIED CASES; ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRESENT ABSENCE CONTROL PROCEDURES BY RELAXING THEM IN TEST PRECINCTS; DECENTRALIZE ABSENCE CONTROL RESPONSIBILITY; DEVELOP METHODS OF MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE OF PART-TIME POLICE SURGEONS IF THEY REMAIN A PART OF THE DIVISION; REVIEW THE USE OF X-RAY UNITS AFTER CONSULTATION WITH AN INDEPENDENT MEDICAL PRACTITIONER; USE COMPUTER CAPABILITY TO RECORD ABSENCES AND IDENTIFY TRENDS; ESTABLISH A STRATEGY OF REWARDS AND SANCTIONS FOR CONTROLLING ABSENTEEISM; AND REPLACE THE PRESENT FIELD SQUAD WITH A STAFF OF QUALIFIED CIVILIAN NURSES. TABULAR SUMMARIES REGARDING ESTIMATED SAVINGS, STAFFING LEVELS, AND MEDICAL STAFF SALARIES ARE PROVIDED, AS IS A FLOW CHART OF THE EXISTING PERSONNEL SERVICES DIVISION. (KBL)