NCJ Number
94787
Date Published
1982
Length
61 pages
Annotation
This study provides an overview of the law enforcement function in Camden, New Jersey, and outlines steps to improve police services to citizens.
Abstract
The Police Task Force identified those organizational and administrative areas of the police operation which affect the level and quality of service and can be improved through managerial and/or structural changes. Data collection procedures involved onsite observations, interviews with police and municipal personnel, and extensive review of documents pertaining to various facets of police operation in Camden, namely, call for service, logs, crime and arrest reports, handbooks, general orders memoranda, presentments, legislation, and pay records. The report discusses organization of the Department of Public Safety, the organization and administration of the Police Division, and operation of the Patrol and Investigative and Support Service Bureaus of the Police Division. At this time, neither the public safety director nor the chief of police is satisfied with the operation of the police division, yet neither feels empowered to make the changes needed to improve police services. Central to the dispute is the extent to which the public safety director can involve himself in the daily operational and disciplinary activities of the division. The report recommends establishing a framework within which the public safety director and chief of police might operate. The report makes 48 recommendations.