NCJ Number
55106
Date Published
1978
Length
68 pages
Annotation
THE MANAGING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS (MCI) FIELD TEST WAS IMPLEMENTED IN THE SANTA MONICA, CALIF., POLICE DEPARTMENT TO AID IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND PROSECUTION OF PERPETRATORS OF CRIMES.
Abstract
FROM SEPTEMBER 1976 TO DECEMBER 1976, THE DEPARTMENT DEVELOPED BASIC COMPONENTS THAT WERE TO BECOME THE FOUNDATION OF THE MCI PROGRAM: (1) CASE SCREENING SYSTEM, (2) SHIFT OF PERSONNEL, (3) INITIATION OF A MAJOR CRIMES UNIT, (4) ESTABLISHMENT OF EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND PROSECUTORS, AND (5) INITIATION OF A MONITORING SYSTEM. ASPECTS OF THE MCI PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1977 WERE CASE DECISION CRITERIA (SOLVABILITY FACTORS), CITIZEN INFORMATION BULLETINS, A PROSECUTION FILING CHECKLIST, MEETINGS WITH PROSECUTION STAFF, AND A COMPUTERIZED TRACKING SYSTEM WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1977, THE REMAINING ELEMENTS OF THE MCI PROGRAM WERE OPERATIONALIZED, INCLUDING A PROSECUTION COMPUTERIZED TRACKING SYSTEM, COMPUTERIZED OFFICER PERFORMANCE REPORTS, AND A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. FIELD TESTING WAS CONDUCTED TO EVALUATE ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE MCI PROGRAM, CASE FLOW AND DECISION POINTS, MANAGEMENT CONTROL AND MONITORING, POLICE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION, CASE CLEARANCE RATES, PROSECUTION FILING RATES, ARREST RATES, COSTS OF PROGRAM OPERATION, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND CONVICTION RATES. THE MCI PROGRAM WAS SUCCESSFUL AND WAS VIEWED AS A MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM ADAPTABLE TO CHANGE. IT IS FELT THAT THE PROGRAM WILL BE INFLUENTIAL IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES. TABLES, DIAGRAMS, AND EXHIBITS ARE INCLUDED. AN APPENDIX CONTAINS A CITIZEN SURVEY FORM AND POLICE CRIME REPORTING FORMS.