NCJ Number
62685
Date Published
1978
Length
216 pages
Annotation
THE MANAGING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS (MCI) SYSTEM THEORY AND THE 18-MONTH PROGRAM EXPERIENCE INVOLVING THE SANTA MONICA POLICE DEPARTMENT (CALIFORNIA) ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF POLICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDING INITIAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES, CASE SCREENING, CONTINUING INVESTIGATION MANAGEMENT, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PROSECUTOR, MONITORING, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. PRIOR TO THE MCI APPROACH IMPLEMENTATION, THE SANTA MONICA POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS OPERATING SIMILARLY TO CALIFORNIA POLICE DEPARTMENTS. POLICE OFFICERS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING ALL INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS AND WERE GENERALLY SATISFACTORY IN THEIR EFFORTS. HOWEVER, THE THOROUGHNESS OF THE INVESTIGATION WAS AT RANDOM DEPENDING UPON THE OFFICER. WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MCI NEW CRIME REPORT WHICH EMPLOYS SOLVABILITY FACTORS, THE GATHERING OF INFORMATION IS NOW DIRECTED, STRUCTURED, AND MORE COMPLETE. ON JANUARY 1, 1977, CASE SCREENING COMMENCED FOR THE ENTIRE INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU. AS A RESULT OF CASE SCREENING, APPROXIMATELY 71 PERCENT OF ALL PART I CRIMES (EXCLUDING LARCENY AND THEFT) ARE SCREENED AWAY FROM FOLLOWUP INVESTIGATION. CLEARENCE RATES INCREASED FROM 18 TO 20 PERCENT BECAUSE THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF UNPRODUCTIVE CASES ALLOWED TIME FOR MORE COMPLETE INVESTIGATION OF PRODUCTIVE CASES. ESTABLISHMENT OF MCI STANDARDS, EXERCISES, AND CONTROLS REGARDING INVESTIGATION MANAGEMENT HAVE RESULTED IN BETTER CASE MANAGEMENT, MORE INTELLIGENT USE OF RESOURCES, AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF THE INVESTIGATION EFFORT. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PROSECUTOR HAS BEEN IMPROVED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEEDBACK AND CASE DISPOSITION SYSTEMS AND BY INFORMAL POLICE/PROSECUTOR LIAISONS. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A FORMAL MONITORING SYSTEM RESULTED IN NUMEROUS POSITIVE CHANGES. DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATION REORGANIZATION WAS SIMILARLY SUCCESSFUL, AND THE OVERALL PROGRAM IS CONSIDERED A VAST IMPROVEMENT OVER PREVIOUS PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES. FORMS, CHARTS, AND ADDENDA ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)