NCJ Number
83395
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1982) Pages: 45-56
Date Published
1981
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Findings and recommendations are presented from a survey of Illinois police patrol operations to determine organizational structure, management philosophy, deployment of patrol personnel, and patrol techniques and activities.
Abstract
Two respondent groups were selected: (1) those registered to attend one of three seminars offered by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in 1980 (the majority of those in attendance would be top-level police administrators) and those attending one of four identical training courses offered by the University of Illinois Police Training Institute in 1980 (the majority in attendance would be either first-line supervisors or middle managers). A total of 270 questionnaires were distributed to the two groups, and 81.8 percent were returned. A total of 183 questionnaires were usable. One of the most unexpected results of the survey was the extent to which poor communication exists among top management at the supervisory level. This condition is due in part to the paramilitary organizational structure and management philosophy used by most of the organizations. Many of the agencies represented should devote immediate attention to developing organizational goals and objectives. The resource allocation and deployment methods of many of the departments need review and change. Many of the agencies are still using the ineffective equal staffing approach to patrol manpower allocation. The role of the law enforcement agency and the patrol force in crime prevention warrants closer examination. The prevalent use of omnipresent preventive patrol is unrealistic and should be abandoned in favor of deployment tactics that are more effective in controlling crime. Tabular data are provided.