NCJ Number
121321
Editor(s)
J Vernon,
D Bracey
Date Published
1989
Length
189 pages
Annotation
Proceedings from a seminar held in Australia on May 31-June 2, 1988, cover papers and panel discussions related to police effectiveness, productivity, and performance.
Abstract
A paper on the increased demand placed on Australian police examines expanded expectations of police, notably in the area of community relations, and whether increased resources in many of these areas are necessary. Another paper examines the criticisms that police effectiveness and efficiency are undermined by police tradition, mythology, and dogma. Some new directions suggested involve problem-oriented and community-oriented policing. A review of the Canadian experience with improving police productivity and performance is followed by a summary of a panel discussion on reconciling policy and police practice. Other issues discussed in papers are the development of performance indicators for the Australian Federal Police, police use of crime statistics, the role of social research in the measurement of police performance, and effectiveness in dealing with crime. Papers on police productivity in particular Australian jurisdictions address traffic enforcement in Tasmania and productivity and service in New South Wales. Other issues discussed are finance, changing police activities, resistance to change, aligning police productivity to organizational goals, and police standards. References, appended citizen's guide to police services.