POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY (FROM READINGS ON PRODUCTIVITY IN POLICING, 1975 BY JOAN L WOLFLE AND JOHN F HEAPHY - SEE NCJ-31282)

• NCJ Number: 31284
• Author(s): P V MURPHY
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Police Foundation
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR STATES THAT BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS WILL CAUSE POLICE ADMINISTRATORS TO BE HELD INCREASINGLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR USE OF RESOURCES.

Abstract

SEVERAL FACTORS, SUCH AS THE DIFFICULTY INHERENT IN ATTEMPTS TO DEFINE POLICE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE INSULAR ATTITUDE OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS TOWARD EACH OTHER, ARE SAID TO HAVE SO FAR DEFERRED SUCH ACCOUNTABILITY. INDUSTRY'S ATTEMPTS AT PROFIT MAXIMIZATION THROUGH CONCENTRATION ON PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT AND IMPROVEMENT ARE SAID TO PRESENT POTENTIALLY VALUABLE EXAMPLES. SUGGESTED AREAS FOR CONCENTRATION INCLUDE THE DEFINING OF OFFICERS' RESPONSIBILITIES, INCREASED INTERAGENCY AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL COOPERATION, AND COORDINATION WITH LAWMAKERS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS OF ENFORCEMENT POLICIES.