NCJ Number
100401
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1985) Pages: 263-274
Date Published
1985
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined possible conflicts between productivity and quality in police narcotics enforcement work.
Abstract
The study data came from 45 narcotics officers working in 6 departments that were taking part in an ongoing, nationwide study of police undercover work. The police departments were geographically dispersed and varied in size. The sample included 32 field investigators, 7 first-level supervisors, and 6 higher ranking command officers. Line officers completed a rank-order instrument consisting of a card deck describing 10 tasks that focused either on quantity or quality. All the officers were interviewed with openended questions about the meaning of doing a good job and constraints on doing quality work. The interviews were tape recorded. Response patterns were similar across job categories and between different types of narcotics units. Most line officers felt that their agencies favored making large numbers of arrests and that pressures existed toward handling the less significant but more easily handled violations. Their own preferences were for making quality the top priority. However, the officers also felt that doing thorough, technically sound work was always important. Study recommendations are that police departments should specify in writing their goals and performance criteria, should limit the use of numerical measures, and should prevent pressures on officers to make large numbers of arrests if major cases are to be made. 24 references.