Opportunities for Reducing the Administrative Burdens on the Police

• NCJ Number: 149308
• Author(s): P Cresswell; G Howarth; M Dolan; J Hedges
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 68 pages
• Corporate Author: Great Britain Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Police Research Series Paper 3

Annotation

This analysis of the paperwork required of police in Great Britain following an arrest revealed that approximately 3 percent of police officer time is spent in this type of postarrest administrative work, although the figure is much higher for police officers closely involved in crime-related work, and procedural changes are available that would reduce the time substantially.

Abstract

The research took place between June and September 1993 and focused on six police forces. Data were gathered by means of detailed analyses of the arrest and file preparation process, interviews, and a 1-day workshop for all police forces. Results revealed that approximately 12 percent of the time of police officers who spend most of their time on crime-related activities is required for postarrest administrative work. Recommendations include eliminating some work elements, improving paperwork flows and form design, changing the handling of taped summarized, improved management and organization, and increased computer support. Other changes should focus on establishing national mechanisms for performance monitoring and the development of a standardized best-practice custody system and associated documentation. Additional recommendations, figures, and tables